Before we move onto Pirate hooks for some thoughts on the Buccos,just a quick note on yesterday being our third highest ever number of hits in one day.
According to the numbers cruncher that I use to keep track of our visits,we picked up a decent amount of visitors from Facebook and off the same account (not mine).
In any event,nice numbers and opposing viewpoints remain welcome as long as things are kept child friendly and respectful.
The Pirates collapsed in the Thursday makeup game against the Mets in a 9-8 10 inning loss,but rebounded with a win in Florida over the Marlins 7-4.
Charlie Morton was the winner (1-1) with six shutout innings and only allowed one Marlin hit.
Brandon Moss (2) and Ramon Vasquez (1) each homered for the Buccos.
The series continues tonight at 6 with Zach Duke facing off against Andrew Miller.
Pirate Hooks
1) Unusual start time in Florida due to the Marlins having (Get this) KC and the Sunshine Band perform after the game.
And I thought only Pittsburgh had weak musical guests!
2) The loss to the Mets on Thursday was a crusher.
When you lose a five run lead and then tie the game with a homer by Adam LaRoche (12) off one of the games top fireman in Francisco Rodriguez,only to lose in the tenth-that is a killer.
3) The loss stung even worse because the Mets beat Matt Capps.
When you consider all the blown leads and then your best guy from the pen loses the lead for the final time,I suppose it just isn't your day...
4) Charlie Morton was dominant in earning his first Pirate win.
Although Morton did walk four in showing occasional command issues,the Marlins could manage only one single off Morton..
5) As far as pure tools on the mound,Morton has the best stuff of the Pirate starters.
The two questions on Morton that followed him from Atlanta are these-can he throw strikes consistently and can he win the all-important mental game that is so different from AAA baseball.
6) Ryan Doumit began his rehab assignment yesterday for the GCL Pirates in Florida.
Doumit could be back after the All-Star break ends...
7) The Pirates signed third round pick Evan Chambers and assigned him to State College.
The signing of Chambers brings the Pirates top four picks into the fold,but no news yet on any of the highly touted "hard sign" pitchers that the Pirates took fliers on in the draft..
8) State College has an interesting roster to say the least with Chambers,second rounder Victor Black along with Justin Byler returning from a broken arm that caused him to miss the entire 2008 season after hitting over .300 for the Spikes in 2007.
If Byler gets off to a decent start,look for him to move quickly to West Virginia.
9) West Virginia doesn't return to Hagerstown until the end of the month,but despite losing Chase D'Arnaud to Lynchburg,still has a roster worth scouting.
First rounder Tony Sanchez is catching for the Power and last year's high upside arm Quinton Miller is there as well along with promising Dominican outfielder Starling Marte.
Marte spent last season with the Dominican Pirates and skipped over both the GCL Pirates and State College to join the Power.
Looking forward to seeing all of those players in a few weeks.
10) Lynchburg added some players worth keeping an eye on after winning the first half title in the Carolina League.
After the various trades by the Pirates,Jeff Locke and Eric Fryer are both with the Hillcats.
Bryan Morris is attempting to make up for lost time and Jamie Romak was dropped down from Altoona and provides the Hillcats with a power hitter to attempt to offset the promotion of Pedro Alvarez....
Bonus Round:
No,the Pirates are not returning to the V-8 juice uniforms or adding a red hat.
All teams are wearing hats with a 4th of July theme over the weekend.
Photo Credit
Morton:Alan Diaz:AP Photo
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