The Other McCutchen

The McCutchen that one rarely hears about and if so,often in a negative fashion fired six shutout innings and the offense picked him up in the third with Neil Walker's bases clearing triple to lead the Pirates to a 5-2 homestand ending win over the St.Louis Cardinals.
Daniel McCutchen (2-5) allowed just three hits in his best effort as a Pirate.
Garrett Jones hit his nineteenth homer in the victory.
Pittsburgh is off today before starting a weekend series in Milwaukee.
Coverage tonight of Cleveland vs Oakland and Friday coverage will feature the Wahoos as well with the Central time start for the Pirates on Friday making it impossible to take the tape to work.
Both of the weekend Pirate games will bring things back to normal....

Pirate Hooks

1) Daniel McCutchen doesn't have overwhelming stuff,but on this night he was able to do the two things that flyball pitchers need when they aren't true power arms-got ahead in the count and made sure that he didn't have to throw pitches down the center and was fortunate enough to have the flies be hit to someone.
Sometimes,pitching can be a bit lucky,but take nothing away from McCutchen-he pitched very well....

2) Brian Burres was recalled from Indianapolis to replace Ross Ohlendorf,who was placed on the DL.
The Pirates report that Burres is slated for the bullpen and things are pointing to Charlie Morton as the rotation replacement for September...

3) Neil Walker's three run triple was the second day in a row that Walker finished with three RBI in a game.
Walker's triple was just a little short of leaving the ballpark and was almost a grand slam homer...

4) John Russell announced that the McCutchen start was just a spot start and that Jeff Karstens and the replacement for Ohlendorf will be the rotation regulars.
I don't really see where it matters much,but whatever....

5) The Pirates lead Baltimore by two games for the first draft pick in 2011...

Photo Credits-Peter Diana-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette