Soft bats strike again in 4-0 Pirate loss

A weak offensive night and some poor work from what the Pirates attempt to pass off as setup men resulted in a 4-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds through some heavy rains at PNC Park.
Zach Duke was yet another hard luck losing pitcher for the Bucs (3-2) in allowing just one run over seven innings.
The series continues tonight at 7:00

Pirate Hooks

1) Anyone think that it might be time to move Tyler Yates from the righthanded setup role?
Yates allowed two more runs (although they turned out to be unearned,due to an error) and walked two in just two-thirds of an inning.
The Pirates have issues with the control problems of Craig Hansen (and they should have them),yet continue to put Yates in close situations with control that doesn't seem any better....

2) Zach Duke did what you have to do to be successful when you are not a power pitcher-he changed speeds and kept the Reds batters off balance.
Duke didn't deserve the loss,but Bronson Arroyo was a hair better for the Reds.

3) Yates received unearned runs because of a throwing error on Jason Jaramillo in the eighth on a sacrifice bunt attempt by the Reds Wily Taveras.
I had no complaints with the call of an error,but I would have given it to the covering Freddy Sanchez,who appeared to have the ball skip off the side of the glove.

4) John Grabow entered the game in the eighth and allowed a homer to the slumping Brandon Phillips on his first pitch.
That pretty much killed the Pirates as on this night,there was no way they were going to score two runs....

5) Nate McLouth returned to the lineup after a hiatus due to a oblique muscle issue.
McLouth went one for four in the game.

Bonus Round
I do like the Pirates black alternate uniforms that they wore in the loss.
Looks retro,yet is a cool alternative to the regular togs.

Pitching Matchup
Cincinnati:Micah Owings (1-2 3.78 ERA) at Pittsburgh:Ross Ohlendorf(2-2 3.24 ERA) 7:05

Bullpen Notes

Big fight in Las Vegas tonight at 140 lbs with Ricky Hatton hooking up with Manny Pacquiao.
The smaller,more skilled Pacquiao against the stronger and natural 140 pounder Hatton looks to be a good one.
I can see Hatton wearing down Pacquiao,but I see the faster and better boxing Pacquiao winning by a decision.
Our record entering the bout for 2009 is 6-2-1 with 3 bonus points....

Floyd Mayweather is ending his retirement for a bout against one of our favorites in Lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez.
The bout is scheduled for sometime in July.
I would rather see Marquez-Pacquiao III,but the Pac Man seems to have little interest in that one...

I don't follow the racing game like I used to,but in the interest of fun,I spent a little time today looking over the past performances on the Kentucky Derby and IF I was wagering today,two horses intrigue me at a price.
I would play An Exacta Box on the combo of General Quarters and Papa Clem and spread a little money on each of them on the WPS as well.
Both appear to be a good price on the morning line and I would feel comfortable betting some on each of the pair.

Photo Credits
Fans:Gene Puskar-AP Photo
Pacquiao-Hatton-Unknown