Only one game out?

The Pittsburgh Pirates are just one game out of first place in the NL Central after yesterday's 5-3 win over the Houston Astros at sold out PNC Park.
Paul Maholm pitched six solid innings in improving to 5-9 on the season.
The series continues tonight with Jeff Karstens (6-4 2.65 ERA) vs Houston's always tough Wandy Rodriguez (6-4 2.97 ERA) at 7:05

Pirate Hooks

1) I am working on a post over the All-Star break that will feature me arguing against myself on why the Pirates are going to make a run this season at the playoffs and why this is a glimpse of the future,but a mirage of the present.
I think you'll enjoy it.

2) Clint Hurdle was complaining yesterday about Andrew McCutchen not being on the All-Star team,but perhaps Hurdle should blame himself a bit as well.
I seem to remember a few weeks back an interview on the pre-game show where Hurdle said something along the lines of  that he did not plan on talking to NL manager Bruce Bochy about any of his players.
That might not have worked out for the best...

3) With that in mind,Hurdle earned himself points for his pointed barbs on McCutchen not making the team or even the "final vote".
The All-Star game does not mean what it used to,but McCutchen certainly deserved to be on the list of the "final five" at minimum.

4) Three more hits for Alex Presley,who has been a short term spark for the offense,which the team was in desperate need of.
It will be an interesting shakeup on the horizon for Clint Hurdle,IF Presley continues to hit and Jose Tabata returns from the disabled list.

5) My answer to that would be Presley in left,Tabata to right,Garret Jones to first and Lyle Overbay to the bench or even released to open some money for a possible addition to the lineup,if the team still has a chance at the trade deadline....

6) Normally,I am not wild about the gimmick hats for holiday games,but this years version was one that I didn't mind so much.

7) Josh Harrison left the game after a home plate collision in the third inning.
Harrison will be likely be day to day.

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