Meek melts Bucco lead in Wrigley

Evan Meek's eighth inning erased all the good that Paul Maholm and the Pirates had done for seven and a half.
After the inning was over,a 3-0 lead had turned into a 5-3 deficit and three outs against Carlos Marmol ended a disappointing day.
Meek was the loser (0-1),although the game winning hit by Blake DeWitt was given up by Chris Resop.
Garrett Jones homered (1) for Pittsburgh.
The series concludes today with Ross Ohlendorf facing Matt Garza in his Cubs debut..

Pirate Hooks

1) Evan Meek definately was struggling with his control and the leadoff walk was a forbearer of things to come,but the biggest worry to me was the balls hit off of him.
All seemed to jump off the bats of Chicago hitters...

2) Only two of the five runs that Meek allowed were earned though as an error by Lyle Overbay was the difference between a 5-3 margin and a 3-2 lead.
Wasn't Overbay supposed to add so much to the Pirates with his defense?

3) Paul Maholm was excellent with six and two thirds scoreless innings and deserved better than a no decision.
The lefty had his curve working and the Cubs had real issues handling it.

4) The Pirates have to be disappointed with the outcome,but even more disappointed when considering Maholm's effort.
They cannot truly think that they are going to have many games like that from their rotation and they cannot afford to waste them with bad bullpen days.
Chris Resop needed to slam the door on a guy like Blake DeWitt and he didn't...

5) Garrett Jones' homer was a real shot considering the wind yesterday.
The ball was not carrying well at all and to get it out at all showed some pop.

6) Already tired of Greg Brown (well,that's a given) and his shilling for the new name of "Root Sports".
The name is not the best and listening to Greg Brown read the "Root Sports" rap every inning or so makes it worse...

7) The weather in Chi-Town cannot be the best for the "field reporter",but newcomer Lacee Collins is struggling with stumbles and getting her reports finished in between innings.
She is new,so it will take time,but the first impression is not very strong...

8) Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie will be both staying in Florida and not starting with Low A West Virginia.
Probably smart to keep their arm out of the initial cold and keep the innings lower.Both will appear there sometime in 2011.

Photo Credit:AP Photo