Pirates dusted again

Pittsburgh left Motown looking like they battled this guy to the right with yet another loss.
The Pirates led Detroit the entire way before a bullpen collapse allowed the Tigers to escape with a 4-3 win that completed a sweep of the Pirates.
Miguel Cabrera's long range three run bomb off Octavio Dotel in the bottom of the eighth turned the tide of the contest and gave Javier Lopes the loss (1-1).
Garrett Jones homered (10) in the second and doubled in another run to lead the Pittsburgh offense.
The Pirates were off tonight and will attempt to snap their losing streak Tuesday against the White Sox at PNC Park.

Pirates Hooks

1) The Pirates wasted a solid performance from Jeff Karstens,who was let down by the bullpen and left with a no decision.
Karstens needs to be handled properly by the manager as he seems to be able to give 5 or 6 good innings and then the floor falls out.

2) Garrett Jones is the only current Pirate that isn't in a slump.
Two homers in two days as he attempts to lift the team's ailing bats..

3) Octavio Dotel gave up the game winner to Miguel Cabrera,but Javier Lopez got the deserved loss.
The lefty specialist was brought in to retire Johnny Damon,walked him and the table was set for Cabrera's rocket.
What good is a specialist when he throws five pitches,four balls and cannot do the basic job that he is on the team for?

4) The final out was made by Akinori Iwamura,who pinch hit for Andy LaRoche.
As poorly as LaRoche has played of late,being pinch hit for by a guy hitting .177 has to be a major shot to the confidence..

5) Ryan Doumit returned to catching a day after his crucial error Saturday night.
Doumit's concussion issues make sense for avoiding catching,but I should have thought of why Doumit didn't DH for yesterday's post.
That would have made more sense and improved the fielding as well.
I should have thought of it.

Back tomorrow with the promised fun things and more on the Hagerstown Suns...