Pirate Hooks

The Pirates have pretty much ended the playoff hopes of the
Milwaukee Brewers by sweeping the Brewers in three straight at PNC Park.
The Buccos had lost 13 of 14 entering the series against a team that had not only had the Pirates numbers,but had acted in a manner that was almost bully like towards the Pirates in dominating the series in each of the last two seasons....
The Pirates get today off before welcoming the Cincinnati Reds in a weekend battle between the two bottom dwellers in the National League Central.

Pirate Hooks

1) The Pirates were able to add two more "tough sign" draft picks near the end of the signing period as 10th round catcher Joe Schoenfeld (I forgot about him when referring to players that I was hoping to see the Pirates take a late run at) and 12th rounder pitcher Jeffrey Inman.
Inman was in the group that I hoped the Pirates would try to reel in at the buzzer.
Schoenfeld signed for 195,000 and reneged on his commitment to play for Tony Gwynn and the San Diego State Aztecs.
Inman was signed for 425,000 as Inman skipped his final year at Stanford to sign.

2) The Pirates also claimed Jon Meloan last week from the Rays and sent him to AAA Indianpolis.
Meloan went from a highly thought of prospect to being waived in one calendar year.
For more on Meloan,check our talk with Tony Lastoria out below....

3) Speaking of relievers,the Pirates promoted Jeff Sues from Altoona to Indianapolis.
Sues struggled early with the Curve and resulted in his bloated numbers,but has pitched well over the last six weeks.

4) The Pirates had three members of the State College Spikes make the NY-Penn All Star game.
Pitchers Phillip Irwin and Zach Foster had performances at the opposite ends of the spectrum as Irwin retired three batters with eight pitches,while Foster was rapped for the deciding three runs in picking up the defeat.
Second baseman Brock Holt walked in his only plate appearance.
All three should start with Low A West Virginia next season...

5) I saw very little of the Brewers series,but it was nice to see the arrogance of the Brewers taken away a bit.
I mean does one wild card appearance really make you a divisional bad ass?
Ryan Braun is a great player,but his swagger seems a bit misplaced all things considered.....
The Pirates are essentially a 4A team right now with only next year to play for,the Brewers needed these games for wild card hopes and which team grabbed all three games?
Take a hike,kid take a hike....

6) The Pirates are currently third in the Bryce Harper Derby.
Pittsburgh trails pace setting Washington by six and a half for the rights to Harper and second place Kansas City by two and a half.
However,the Pirates lead the incoming Reds by just one game,so this weekends series does have extra meaning to fans of both squads....

7) If Pittsburgh cannot have Harper,here is hoping that Washington holds on to the top pick.
While there is no chance in hell that the Hagerstown Suns will ever see Stephen Strasburg,there is an above average chance that Bryce Harper could be a member of the 2011 Hagerstown Suns.
.

Back with more later as we frantically attempt to catch up before the workweek begins!!!

Photo Credits
Logo:Chris Creamers Sports Logos
Spikes:Wil Colsher-State College Spikes