The Pirates allowed 6 runs in the 1st two innings,but recovered from then on to post an 11-6 win over the hated Phillies.
Paul Maholm was rapped early,but settled down after that first two innings to finish with seven innings of work and improve his record to 9-14.
The second half work from Maholm has to be a bright spot for Pirate fans and gives at least a glimmer of hope for a reasonably solid rotation for 2008.
Freddie Sanchez continued his sizzling hitting with three more hits,including a two run homer (8).
Adam LaRoche added 2 RBI and 5 other Buccos knocked a run in as well.
The series concludes today at 1:35.
Pitching Matchup
Philadelphia: Kyle Lohse (7-12) at Pittsburgh: Ian Snell (7-10) 1:35
Bullpen Notes
Any of you Pirate fans miss playing the Phillies as much as I do?
I still hate the Atlanta Braves and not as much for Sid Bream,but more for their crying about the original divisional revamp.
The Pirates were supposed to be in the Eastern division with the Phillies,but thanks to the Braves wanting to build a rivalry with the then-new Marlins(and didn't that work out well),the ancient rivalry for Pennsylvania was watered down.
I cannot work up anywhere near the animosity for any of the central teams that I can for the Phillies.
Former Hagerstown Sun Marco Estrada threw 6 and 2/3rds hitless inning
s for Potomac Friday night vs Myrtle Beach.Marco has had some injury problems this year,but it is nice to see him finishing the season strong.
The New Jersey Devils finished up the heavy lifting of this off-season with the re-signing of defenseman Paul Martin to a 3 year deal worth 11.5 million.
Glad to have Paul back in the fold.
I pretty much like what the Devils did this off season,except for the Dainus Zubrus signing.
Nothing against Zubrus or his play,but I thought the contract was a bit high.
Check the Post-Gazette today for interesting info that has been both here and other places about the Pirates turning down Ryan Howard for Kris Benson (OH MY GOD),the crappy players that the Pirates are always able to clear through waivers and the struggles of Daniel Moskos at State College!? (OH MY GOD II).
Most of this is not news to the hard core fans,but getting it into the mainstream should help cook the Captain even more.
On the signing front-
I will address the signing habits of the teams on the trip as I do the reviews.
I am trying to get caught up on everything here and I am hoping to get that started by Tuesday at the latest..
On Thursday,I was able to get most of the Greensboro Grasshoppers and finished up the last few last night.
Not a bad signing team,the big catches were outfield prospects John Raynor and Scott Cousins,along with the very personable Logan Morrison.
The lefty 1st baseman talked to me for a bit about the Grasshoppers dog mascot Miss Babe Ruth (more on her in the future) and how she retrieves the bats in her mouth without damaging the bats.
Logan also told me about the Babe being quite the cash cow (or dog) for the franchise.
When I tell you those numbers,maybe more teams could create income with this type of mascot.
Friday,I was able to finish up the Kinston Indians and Ryan was able to make progress on the homestanding Frederick Keys.
Kinston's major additions were Wes Hodges and Josh Rodriguez signing their Carolina League top prospect cards,Steven Wright adding his SAL top prospect card, Jared Goedert,the always friendly Frank Herrmann and former Hagerstown Sun pitcher and current Kinston pitching coach Tony Arnold.
Arnold talked for a few minutes about his playing days in Hagerstown for the Carolina League incarnation of the Suns.
Super nice fellow there.
Ryan got quite a few of the Keys including pitching prospects Brandon Erbe and Chorye Spoone along with shortstop Blake Davis,
Blake is always easy to deal with and root for.
I just wish that he was not in the Oriole organization!
Well,we are getting caught up on things,so hopefully we can do the trip stuff coming in the next day or two.
Photo Credit
Estrada-AP Photo-Keith Srakocic
Sanchez-MLB.Com-Shawn Davis
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