Big Makeup edition

Missed a few days.
Life got busy and fell behind on things,but we have loads of stuff for this post and hopefully that will make it up to you.

The Pirates had three games scheduled in New York against the Mets,but the first of the three was rained out.
The Pirates lost a heartbreaker on Tuesday dropping an extra inning decision to the Metros 5-4.
The Bucs jumped out to an early lead on Nate McLouth's game starting homer (7) off Johan Santana and three innings later Jason Bay took Santana deep over the wall (6) for a 2-0 Pirate lead.But the Mets tied the game on a homer and a Freddy Sanchez error allowed two Met runs to score in the 5th and that built a 4-2 NY lead.
Adam LaRoche's 8th inning walk trimmed the lead to a single run and Freddy Sanchez somewhat redeemed himself with a two out single that scored Brian Bixler from second in the 9th to tie the game.
The Mets scored the winning run off John Van Benschoten (0-1) in the 11th to earn the victory.
My question is this,why was Van Benschoten used in that situation anyway?
Matt Capps was still in the pen,why not use him for an inning and maybe buy another time at bat?
Seemed to me that a guy that has started all season (at Indianapolis) being brought into a tie game in the 11th inning was being put in a position of failure.
Not smart.

The Buccos rebounded with a 13-1 afternoon pounding of the Mets on Wednesday that featured a boatload of Met mistakes that resulted in 9 of Pittsburgh's runs being unearned.
Tom Gorzelanny was hard to hit and hard to catch as well in winning his 2nd game of the season (2-3).
Gorzo allowed just 1 hit in his scoreless 5 innings,but his control continues to worry me as he walked 5 in the outing.
Xavier Nady and Nate McLouth paced the Buc attack with 3 RBI each in the win.
The Pirates now make their only visit of the season to Washington for a 4 games series against the Nationals in Pittsburgh's first visit to the Nats new ballpark.

Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh:Zach Duke (0-2 5.34 ERA) at Washington:Odalis Perez (0-3 3.31 ERA) 7:05

Bullpen Notes

The Pirates released power armed righthander Olivo Astacio today for a"significant violation of organizational policy."
Astacio had not pitched this season after being assigned to AA Altoona,but was still on the Pirates 40 man roster.
Astacio pitched spent time last season with three Pirate farm teams,but spent most of the season in Low A Hickory.

Local righthander Nick Adenhart was promoted from AAA Salt Lake to the Anaheim Angels and will start tonight against the Oakland Athletics.
Adenhart was a dominating 4-0 with an 0.88 ERA with the Bees this season.

Not sure why the media is dogging the Charlotte Bobcats move to hire Larry Brown.
I mean you are a crummy team and the best basketball coach in the world wants to coach for you,where is the downside?
Sure,he might only be there a few years,but a few years of a solid run looks very nice for a flagging franchise.

And here is an open and funny interview with the man that we suggested be hired as the Pirates manager last season-Andy Van Slyke.
Honest,open and funny are note always included with interviews,but Van Slyke's usually are.

I have not forgot to do the Seattle Seahawks draft review,just have put it off for a bit.
Back tomorrow with Pirates-Nats,some words on the Hagerstown Suns-West Virginia Power series,on the signing front and more!

Photo Credits
Sanchez-Ed Betz-AP Photo
Bucs-Frank Franklin II-AP Photo
Brown-Unknown