King of the road?

Roger Miller sure couldn't have been speaking of the Pittsburgh Pirates with his hit "King of the Road" as the Pirates completed a winless road trip with another loss to the Astros,this one being a 8-2 decision.
Jeff Karstens was the losing pitcher in this one and drops to 2-9 on the campaign.
The Florida Marlins are in Pittsburgh for four games starting tonight with Chris Volstad (6-8) against the Buccos James McDonald (1-2) at 7;05

Pirate Hooks

1) There are many players through the years that seem to own Pirate hurlers,Atlanta's Brian McCann comes to mind for one,but Hunter Pence of the Astros seems to be right up there with the best.
If Houston needs a big hit,it seems Pence is usually the batter and produces.
If he leads off an inning,he seems get things started.
Just one of those things,I suppose....

2) Play of the game goes to Houston's Carlos Lee,who hit home plate umpire Alan Porter in the head on his back swing in the sixth inning.
Pence had smashed a ground rule double and then Lee hit Porter causing a delay.
For whatever the reason Jeff Karstens wasn't the same after the delay and Houston took the lead and never looked back...

3) Looks like the Buccos have given up on Lastings Milledge as an everyday outfielder.
Ever since the recall of Jeff Clement,Milledge has been the odd man out against righthanders.
Not that Milledge has been super or anything near that level,but not sure that he has been bad enough to deserve a playing time reduction considering the team he plays on.

4) Is there a quirkier ballpark all around than Minute Maid Park?
Certainly not of any newer parks.
Considering Tal's Hill,the flag pole in the playing field,the Crawford boxes that produce pop fly homers that bring back memories of the Polo Grounds and the direct changes in the outfield fence distance,Minute Maid sure brings lots of things in to play.
Of the retractable dome parks,Houston's is my clear favorite.....

5) Midnight tonight is the deadline to sign draft picks.
The Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates are "very close" with first rounder Jameson Taillon and "optimistic" on second rounder Stetson Allie.
Since I am off work tonight,I will be watching things live on the deadline and hope to have a post up and ready as soon as news is announced...

Bullpen Note

Apparently no one,other than Tony Lastoria and his terrific Indians Prospect Insider cares about the Indians deadline signings as I found no information from any of the Northern Ohio dailies on the Indians status with first rounder Drew Pomerantz,second rounder Levon Washington or third round shortstop Tony Wolters,who I hope Cleveland finds a way to sign.
We will likely do a Tribe deadline post as well.

Back later with a review of the tape of Seattle's win over Tennessee in pre-season football..

Photo Credit-David J.Phillip-AP Photo