Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Two more losses in Milwaukee

The Pittsburgh Pirates just cannot seem to get by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Two more losses to the Brewers to extend their losing streak to the Brewers to 14 games.
The losses of 10-5 and 6-5 both can be blamed on an area of the team that will have quite a bit of blame sent its way this season-the bullpen.
Tyler Yates took the loss on Monday (0-1),while Jesse Chavez was the loser last night (0-1).
The series concludes today at 1:05.

Pirate Hooks

1) Didn't get to watch either game,but with last night's Devil disaster,I will be watching more Pirates.
Some may be partial games with my new work situation (starting Monday),but will have more things that I see instead of reading between the box score.....

2) Some shots at the relievers as on Monday,the Pirates had battled back to tie the game at five with two runs in the top of the 8th only to watch Milwaukee score five in the bottom.
Tyler Yates allowed 3 runs in a third of an inning and John Grabow gave Milwaukee two more in his third of an inning.
Jesse Chavez allowed a two run homer to Rickie Weeks that eventually proved to be the game winner.

3) Tyler Yates and John Grabow are supposed to be dependable setup men and I suppose that might be why the Pittsburgh bullpen will prove to be less than reliable over the course of a season.
Yates lack of control really concerns me and I wince anytime he comes into a game with less than a three run lead..

4) Jason Jaramillo continues to swing a hot bat in place of injured Ryan Doumit.
Jaramillo's bat was considered to be average at best and the fast start could be as simple as a rookie not having a "book" on how to pitch to him yet,but a switch hitting catcher that can be passable at the plate while being a strong defensive catcher can have a long career......

5) Brian Bixler has fanned six times in two nights against Brewer pitching.
At that rate,it wont take long for Ramon Vasquez to start appearing in the lineup considering the less than long leash that the Pirates had Bixler on last season.
Remember you only get to be the "next" fill in position here for so long before another "new" player comes along.

Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh:Ian Snell (1-2 4.50 ERA) at Milwaukee:Yovani Gallardo (2-1 3.71 ERA) 1:05

Bullpen Notes

Watched the Lake County win over Hagerstown on Monday and was able to take a look at Indians pitching prospect T.J.House in the win.
The 19 year old from Mississippi was excellent in scattering four hits and allowing just one Hagerstown run over six innings in gaining his first professional win.
The power pitching lefty was aggressive and his fastball was a heavy ball as his scouting report indicated,but his breaking ball (reported as a slurve,but I thought it looked like more of a conventional slider) was the surprise to me.
House's breaking pitch (whatever it was) tailed quickly out of the zone and had the Suns hitters helpless.
Keep an eye on T.J. House....

Sorry to hear of the passing of former WBA Heavyweight king Greg Page at just 50.
Page had suffered from brain injuries since a 2001 fight with Dale Crowe.
Page fought far too long for too long money,which is an unfortunate part of the sport that is sadly far too common.
Page was an amateur star in the late seventies and contender in the early 80's,but seemed have two problems that most contenders would shy away from.
A problem staying in top shape and a knack for losing important fights that his skills should have never allowed him to lose.
A loss to Trevor Berbick cost him a title shot.
Page worked his way up to the top contender slot to Larry Holmes and Holmes vacated his title rather than fight Page.
With a chance to secure himself as a viable alternative as the top heavyweight,Page dropped a lackluster decision to Tim Witherspoon for Holmes vacant belt and followed that up with a dull decision loss to David Bey in a bout that was designed to showcase his return to form.
Page won the WBA title in South Africa with a eighth round KO of power punching Gerrie Coetzee in a fight that he didn't deserve,but was the only fighter willing to go to South Africa.
Many thought that Page was finally putting things together,but he lost the title in Buffalo to Tony Tubbs over 15 rounds in one of the dullest title fights ever in his first defense,
Page would never contend again.

Very surprised to hear about Arlen Spector switching parties and moving Democrats closer to a 60 vote filibuster proof majority.
Spector was smart enough to realize that at his age,he had one run left in him and that as a Republican, his chances of getting out of the primary in 2010 were dim as his GOP challenger in 2004-Pat Toomey was revving up for another shot at the moderate Spector.

The surprise big winner as a result of Spector's decision?
Norm Coleman in Minnesota.
Now that an Al Franken win in Minnesota would give Democrats their 60 votes,watch how fast and how much money comes into Minnesota for anything that would give Coleman help in his court fight.
That is the GOP's last sandbag to put up against the political flood that has washed them over....

Photo Credits
Pirates:Chris Creamer's Sports Logos
Page:Ring Magazine

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