Pirates split pair,take two of three in SD

The Pittsburgh Pirates used a grand slam homer by Ryan Doumit (2) to lead a six run third inning (all of them unearned for Padre starter Clayton Richard) and lift Pittsburgh to a 7-4 win of the game and three game series..
Kevin Correia pitched six innings and allowed two runs in his return to his former home.
Correia improved to 5-2 with the win.
Pittsburgh just missed a sweep as they dropped the middle game 6-5 as the bullpen lost a 5-3 lead over the final two innings.
Joe Beimel was the loser in his first decision of the season (0-1).

The Pirates are off today as they return home for a seven game homestand vs the Astros and Dodgers.
I will miss the first game of the series as I am going into work early,but the rest look like a good bet.
With the Pirates off today,it looks like an Indians day as I will be covering the surprising Wahoos in Oakland against the Athletics....

Pirate Hooks

1) I listened to the loss on XM,but it didn't take seeing the game to tell the difference in the loss.
You give up three home runs to players that had a combined ZERO homers entering the game,that makes it pretty clear that it isn't your night.

2) Many have bashed Brandon Wood for trying to advance from second to third in the ninth on a ball that was a short amount away from the catcher.
I can see their point,but look at it this way-you have a dominating closer on the hill in Heath Bell against the teams worst hitter Ronny Cedeno,Wood tried to make something happen,didn't work out-considering the situation I have a hard time being too tough on him...

3) Thus far with the season a bit over month into the term,I would have to say that I was wrong on Kevin Correia.
That doesn't mean things will remain that way,but Correia has pitched pretty well other than on one occasion and with some luck,he could be 6-1.
Last night,he did exactly what you expect from a veteran-keep your team in the game.
Quick outs and away from big innings-sounds simple,but not always executed....

4) A neat thing that some Padre fans do is hang a "Q' placard when a San Diego pitcher gets an out with three pitches or less.
Lacee Collins talked to these fans,in which was the first interesting feature I have seen her do all year) and it seems like these fans are real baseball fans as they explained their reasons for not just settling for the standard "K" for strikeouts.

5) Ryan Doumit's grand slam was a "noooooooooo Doubt about it" as the badly missed Lanny Frattare used to say.
Garrett Jones called it a "laser beam",I'll just call it crushed!

6) John Bowker cleared waivers and was assigned to AAA Indianapolis.
A good break for the Pirates as it keeps Bowker in play as an addition later on,but another blow to Bowker's chance of getting a real shot at a full time job.

7) High A Bradenton had to move a series to FSL rival Charlotte's stadium after "rust issues" with Mckechnie Field.
Serves them right for leaving the Carolina League.

Hope to be back later with the Browns Day Three....

Photo Credit-AP Photo