A win is a win,but..............

The Pirates split games with the Cardinals on Tuesday and Wednesday,but no matter-the Pirates have not played very solid baseball.

Some thoughts on both the win and loss in Pirate hooks

Pirate Hooks

1) Zach Duke was very sharp in getting the win Wednesday.
Duke kept his pitch count low,stayed around the dish,but most importantly did not allow fat meaty pitches to be over the plate,which has been his fatal flaw the last few seasons....

2) Ian Snell,on the other hand,looked awful in his loss on Tuesday.

3) The Pirates did use two of their power armed wildmen in the loss as both Craig Hansen and Donald Veal appeared in the outing and lived up to expectations as both fanned three and walked a few as well...

4) Andy LaRoche dropped an easy pop up in the loss for his third error in two games.
I am not ready to shovel dirt on the guy yet,but does anyone else have the feeling when you watch LaRoche that he is almost child-like on the field???

5) LaRoche sat Wednesday for Ramon Vasquez and I give John Russell credit for attempting to stop the lackadaisical play ASAP instead of giving LaRoche chance after chance.

6) Freddy Sanchez is off to a sizzlin start with multi-hit games in each of the first three.
If Sanchez can continue a return to form,he could be a valuable trading chip at the deadline.

7) The Pirates finish their series in St.Louis today before a weekend series by the Ohio River against the Reds.

8) Nyjer Morgan is even doing well thus far.
I doubt it keeps up,but I will take it where I can....

Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh:Ross Ohlendorf at St.Louis:Chris Carpenter 1;40

I hope to be back later with some Devils talk,Meet the Suns,a inbox filled with bullpen notes and some personal news will impact this blog....