Sabathia peddled to Sudsville,Pirates swept from Milwaukee

The Pirates showed some heart yesterday after watching baseballs fly from the field in the first inning and immediately fell into a 4-0 hole.
The Pirates battled back to eventually even take a 6-4 lead,but the relentless Brewer offense continued to pound the suspect staff and romped to an 11-6 win and a sweep of the three game set.
Zach Duke was sent to the showers after failing to complete the third inning,but thanks to the Pirate rally was able to escape with a no decision.
Duke was deserving of the loss as he allowed six runs (5 earned) in the abbreviated outing.
The loss instead went to Denny Bautista (1-1) who was pounded for four runs in just an inning.
The Bucs tied the game in their part of the second as Jason Bay led off with his 17th homer of the season and then tied the game on Nate McLouth's bases clearing double down the right field line.
Adam LaRoche then smacked his 9th homer with one man on to give the Pirates the lead that they would not hold onto for long.
Just another ugly pitching performance,but the infielders did not add much as they combined for three errors,two by Jose Bautista.
Must have a bad day for players with that surname.
The Pirates return home for a series against the Houston Astros tonight at 7 with the returning Phil Dumatrait taking the ball on the hill.
I can hear Battlin Bob celebrating from here!

Pitching Matchup
Houston:Runelvys Hernandez (0-2 5.40 ERA) at Pittsburgh:Phil Dumatrait (3-4 4.66 ERA) 7:05

The Brewers improved their team even more today by acquiring the ace of the Cleveland Indians C.C.Sabathia for outfielder Matt LaPorta,pitcher Rob Bryson (From the West Virginia Power),journeyman reliever Zach Jackson and a player to be named later.
The PTBNL is expected to be third baseman Taylor Green,who played here in Hagerstown as a member of the Power in 2008.
The powerhitting LaPorta is the centerpiece of the trade as he has been very impressive since being drafted with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2007 draft.
No word on whether LaPorta will be assigned to AAA Buffalo or AA Akron.
Either makes sense,but a Buffalo stint makes a bit more as LaPorta has little to prove at the Double A level.
Bryson started a game here earlier this season against the Suns,but was placed in the closer role by West Virginia in May.
Bryson was the closer for Helena in the Pioneer League last season and was regarded as one of the top ten prospects for the league as well as the 11th in the Brewers organization by Baseball America.
Bryson will likely be assigned to Low A Lake County.
Green is the top hitter for the Brevard County Manatees,as he leads the team in average and runs batted in along with being second in homers.
Green does have power questions as he moves up the ladder and despite the speculation,it is not a guarantee that he will be the player to be named later.
Jackson is a journeyman type that is a depth move for either the Indians or Buffalo with little impact as he is basically a toss in to the deal.

I like the deal for both teams.
Milwaukee gets to make a run at the post season and will likely get two first round picks in next years draft after Sabathia goes elsewhere as a free agent.
Cleveland adds a player (LaPorta) that they never would have added with the picks they would have gotten for Sabathia if they had kept him,so I like it for both teams.

Bullpen Notes

The Pirates wore blue hats for two of the three games in Milwaukee and it is pictured above.
They look a lot like the Potomac Nationals hats to me.

The Pirates All Star representative will be Nate McLouth.
McLouth certainly was the most deserving Pirate despite good starts from Jason Bay and Xavier Nady.

Former Pirate Pokey Reese makes his Hagerstown debut tonight vs the Asheville Tourists at the Muni.
The shortstop is working his way along the comeback trail in the Nationals system in hopes to be ready to contend for the shortstop spot that will likely be vacated by Cristian Guzman next season.

I have not forgotten about the Indy wrestling post,just waiting for pics and a slow day to write about it.
Until next time

Photo Credit
Sanchez:Morry Gash-AP Photo
LaPorta:Topps

Gorzo gonezo,Maholm's effort goes for naught.

Paul Maholm tossed an excellent start for eight innings and that should have taken an immense amount of stress off the suspect bullpen.
However,Maholm could not stay in the game forever and after lifting him,Tyler Yates came into the game,walked the first batter and allowed him to score on a Prince Fielder single which lifted Milwaukee to a 2-1 win.
Why on earth is Tyler Yates pitching in a tie game in the ninth inning with his noted control issues?
Beats me,but to be entirely fair-you can replace Yates name with any other member of the relievers with the arguable exception of Damaso Marte and ask the same query.
This pitching staff is going to be pretty tough to watch for the next few weeks for sure.
The bullpen is awful with only Marte and maybe John Grabow being above mediocre (I am being kind) and the starters are no better with Ian Snell on the DL and now Tom Gorzelanny is out of the rotation for his poor performance and will be toiling in Indianapolis for the foreseeable future.
I can see the demotion-Gorzelanny has been pretty bad,but looking at a rotation that for now looks like this-Maholm,Zach Duke,the returning from the DL Phil Dumatrait and who knows?!
The Pirates look like they are going to keep running John Van Benschoten out there,Ty Taubenheim could get another try and after that????
Jimmy Barthmaier was likely rushed here,Bryan Bullington was designated for assignment,maybe now is the time to throw Yoslan Herrera up against the wall and see if he has anything to offer?
In any case,you have not likely seen the worst yet....

But we will try to be positive and look at the improvement that Paul Maholm has shown over the last six weeks.
Last night he allowed just 4 hits and if one of those stays in the yard,he gets a win instead of a no decision.
The Mississippi State Bulldog has allowed 4 runs only once since late May and clearly is the best pitcher on the staff right now.
Sure,he does not strike many out,but that is not his type of pitcher.
Looking at the bright side of things-Maholm seems to be shaping up as a decent middle of the rotation starter and right now that is enough to be this teams ace.

Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh:Zach Duke (4-5 3.88 ERA) at Milwaukee:Jeff Suppan (5-6 4.30 ERA) 2:05

Slow day otherwise,so until next time.........

Photo Credit
Maholm:Morry Gash-AP Photo
Gorzelanny:Bill Gentry

Buccos dunked by Bernie Brewer

Bernie Brewer did a lot of sliding down his chute at Miller Park as the Milwaukee Brewers broke open a tight game in the fifth inning and cruised to a 9-1 victory on Independence Day.
Tom Gorzelanny was hammered for 8 runs (7 earned ) in lasting less than five innings and dropped below .500 with the loss (6-7).
The only Pirate run came off the book rule double that was struck by Xavier Nady in the third inning.
Other than that there is very little to say nice with the exception of two scoreless mop up innings by newcomer Romulo Sanchez.
You know that it is a bad day,when that is about all that you can say that is positive.
Series continues tonight at 7.

Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh:Paul Maholm (5-5 4.28 ERA) at Milwaukee:David Bush (4-8 5.06 ERA) 7:05

Bullpen Notes

Looks like you can add the Los Angeles Dodgers to the list of suitors for Jack Wilson.
I am not a proponent of moving Wilson after watching the Pirates struggle with his replacements at short when he was injured earlier this year,but I would be willing to listen if the offer is right.

Veteran big leaguer Pokey Reese is currently a Hagerstown Sun.
The slick fielding former Pirate is currently on the road with the Suns,here is hoping he sticks around long enough to sign some cards on the homestand that starts Monday.

Spent the day doing something that I have not done in over ten years-attend an independent wrestling show.
I will write more on a day on the indy circuit when I can get pictures to go along with it.

Yes,the PC is still struggling,I am open to any and all ideas!

And finally,from the old homefront in Ashland Ohio,their 9th annual Wifflefest is going on.
Look for a possible Hagerstown entry next year-I know two pretty sharp pitchers that might be willing to take a shot at this title!

Until tomorrow.

Photo Credits
Bernie Brewer:Unknown
Reese:Topps

Random Ramblings

A few random ramblings for the day.

Looks like a new PC is not out of the question.
My PC is still infected and I cannot shut it off or I have to take a few hours to be back up and running

The Pirates travel to Milwaukee for a July 4th matinee battle against the Brewers.
Game time is 2:05

Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh:Tom Gorzelanny (6-6 6.18 ERA) at Milwaukee:Ben Sheets (9-2 2.83 ERA) 2:05

The Pirates designated Bryan Bullington for assignment in order to make space for Chris Duffy on the 40 man roster.
Neal Huntington says that the Bucs still have high hopes for Bullington,but they expect him to clear waivers and return him to AAA Indianapolis.
That said if the hopes were that high,why would you allow others to pick him up?

The fans of Seattle got screwed in losing the Sonics to Oklahoma City.
Seattle did manage to keep their records,logo and colors (similar to the Cleveland Browns keeping theirs) for a future team,but otherwise got little.
Oklahoma City did very well in supporting the Hornets during their sabbatical from New Orleans,but the NBA has a track record of fast starts in new towns and then watching interest fade in small markets such as New Orleans,Memphis and Vancouver.

Jayson Stark's latest column has teams showing interest in dealing for Nate McLouth,but the Pirates prefer to shop Jason Bay and Xavier Nady instead.
Tampa Bay is mentioned as a prime suitor for both,but especially Bay.
I would like to see a few of the Rays prospects coming Pittsburgh's way,especially pitcher Jeremy Hellickson or shortstop Reid Brignac.

If the Bucs were able to bring in Brignac,that would then enable Pittsburgh to shop Jack Wilson to add even more prospects.
Detroit is (for the second year in a row) interested in Wilson.

And finally in sad news,Larry Harmon passed away at the age of 83.
Harmon is known as the man that made the character of Bozo the Clown famous,despite not being the first to play the role or any of the nationally known Bozos on Chicago's WGN television.
Harmon recently began releasing DVD's of old Bozo shows with him playing the lead role.

Photo Credits
Harmon:AP Photo/International Clown Hall of Fame

Devils bring home Rolston and Holik

The New Jersey Devils made a big splash in free agency and their signings had a interesting and familiar look to them.
The Devils brought home two heroes of seasons past as Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik each agreed to contracts that returned them to New Jersey.
Devils GM Lou Lamiorello also managed to retain Jay Pandolfo,Bryce Salvador and David Clarkson as well.
Clarkson was a restricted free agent and the Devils would have likely matched all but the craziest offer,but by acting quickly to keep Clarkson off the market,the Devils likely saved some cap space.

Rolston is a huge addition to the team and he signed a healthy contract in agreeing to return-4 years and 20.5 million,but the Brian Rolston that is returning is a different player than the one that left.
Rolston continues to be an excellent two way player,but in his years with the Devils,Rolston never scored more than 18 goals in a season.
Since leaving he has never scored fewer than 19 and in his last three seasons with the Minnesota Wild, Brian has scored over 30 goals in each season.
Rolston should fit in very well on a projected line with Patrik Elias and Zach Parise.
I wish the deal was for three years instead of four,but with many teams interested in Rolston four years is what it took to get things done.
An excellent and unexpected signing.

The return of Bobby Holik on a one year deal has very little downside.
Assuming Holik is productive,the price is very reasonable and if not-his contract goes off the cap next season.
Holik will earn 2.5 million next year and could be part of a very nasty checking line with Clarkson and Mike Rupp.
I like this signing mainly because of the short length.
A longer deal would give me some issues to think about.

Earlier in the day,the Devils hung onto the player that of their free agents was the most desirable in Jay Pandolfo.
Pando signed a three year deal for 7.5 million and that was a very reasonable cost for the Devils.
But in order to get that savings,the Devils had to agree to a no trade clause in the contract.
I do not foresee that as a potential problem down the road and was well worth the hometown discount.

Bryce Salvador was also signed to a new deal that allowed New Jersey to keep the defenseman off the free agency cattle call.
Salvador only played eight games in Red and Black before being sidelined with a broken clavicle,but fit in well and adds a bit of nasty to a defense corps that other than Colin White could use it.
Salvador will be paid just under three million a year for four years under the contract terms.

The Devils had to make a tough call and decided to allow veteran Sergei Brylin to look elsewhere.
The decision was said to come down to keeping either Pandolfo or Brylin,but not both and I think that the right call was made.
Brylin will be missed,but I would think that after his career is finished that Sergei Brylin will be working for the Devils in some capacity.

So,I am very pleased with the Devils thus far,but they are still missing the offensive puck mover for the blueliners that I think that they so badly need.
Look for the Devils to try to add that piece through a trade.

Pirates take two of three along Ohio River

Yes,the PC is still acting up,but I am going to give this a shot while I can.
This will be a Pirate based post and then if I can keep this thing afloat,we will post on the Devils transactions and other stuff that strikes me.

The Pirates grabbed two of three games against the Cincinnati Reds in Ohio,but should have earned a sweep.
Matt Capps showed the bad news to come as he blew saves in both of the first two games,which the Pirates split.
Capps would be diagnosed with a shoulder problem that leaves him on the sidelines for two months and the Pirates without their most reliable bullpen arm.
John Russell announced that the closer will be whoever is hot at the moment,but as this evolves bet on Damaso Marte being the main pitcher in the role.
This would improve the value of Marte for a possible trade or continue to build Marte's value to being a possible type A free agent that would yield two draft picks to Pittsburgh for his loss next winter.

For eight innings on Monday,all was well.
The Pirates played well and took a lead into the bottom of the ninth.
It was pretty much the Adam LaRoche show as LaRoche smacked a two run homer and added a
sac fly for the other Pirate run and it seemed that the win could both jump start LaRoche and get this road trip off to a strong start.
But it all was for naught as David Ross doubled off the wall,which put the tying run on base and Ken Griffey Jr. stepped to the plate to pinch hit.
Griffey's first swing sent the horsehide flying over the right field wall and the Reds snuck into the
Southern Ohio night with a 4-3 win.
Capps dropped to 1-3 on the season and his inability to hold the lead put a damper on a solid performance by Paul Maholm.
Maholm was effective for seven innings and allowed two runs on just five hits along with striking out five Reds.
The start completed a pretty nice June for the lefthander and here is hoping he can continue the solid work.

On Tuesday,the Bucs tried desperately to give the game to the home squad in allowing two leads to go away in the late innings before deciding to keep the win for themselves with a 6-5 win in 11 innings.
Pittsburgh built a 3-0 lead on a 4th inning double by Jose Bautista and two runs in the sixth on a Adam LaRoche single and a Doug Mientkiewicz sac fly.
Cincinnati scored a sixth inning run and then tied the game on a long eighth inning homer by Brandon Phillips off Damaso Marte.
Jason Michaels hit a tenth inning double to give the Pirates a chance to win with a 4-3 lead,but Capps again could not hold the lead and this is the game that was most obvious that something could be wrong with the closer.
His velocity was way down and most pitches looked very hittable and the Pirates were fortunate to stagger into the 11th instead of another crushing loss.
The Pirates would score twice in the 11th and they would need both runs.
Jack Wilson's triple scored Xavier Nady from first and Nate McLouth singled into the gap to send Wilson trotting home with a 6-4 lead.
Newly recalled Romulo Sanchez survived a rocky 11th to earn the save (1) despite allowing a run to the Redlegs and Capps vultured the win to move to 2-3.
The Pirates used everyone but the groundskeeper in the win as eight pitchers were used in the contest.

In the series finale', the Pirates started fast with four first inning runs, could not hold the lead and then roared past the Reds in winning the rubber match 9-5.
Xavier Nady crushed two homers (11 and 12) and Jose Bautista added an insurance shot into the seats (10) to lead the suddenly powerful offense.
Nady finished the night with three RBI,while Bautista and the suddenly hot Adam LaRoche each added two.
The first five Pirate hitters all reached base as part of the fast start,but Battlin' Bob's favorite hurler John Van Benschoten was hammered for five runs (3 Home Runs allowed) in just two and a third innings.
Guess JVB was saying more than "NO!" after this one,huh,Bob?
Get used to this type of game as there is not anyone better at Indianapolis,so the door should remain to be a revolving one as long as Ian Snell and Phil Dumatrait are on the DL.
The winner and unsung hero in this one was newcomer Denny Bautista (1-0).
Bautista was dazzling in his three and a third inning outing as he allowed just one Cincinnati hit and was well deserving of his first win in black and gold.
Sean Burnett,John Grabow and Tyler Yates all combined to keep the Reds off the scoreboard and the Pirates rolled out from Ohio with the victory.
The Pirates are off today as they travel to Milwaukee for a three game series in Brew Town.

Bullpen Notes

Before Wednesday's game,Matt Capps was placed on the DL and the surprising call from Indianapolis was Steve Pearce.
Pearce pinch hit late in the game and struck out.
I am not sure how much action he will receive for the next few weeks,but this could be a way to acclimate Pearce to the bigs before his anticipated jump to full time play after the projected deadline moves.

Capps will basically be taking things easy during his downtime for the first month and then begin a throwing program over the second month.
The problem does not require surgery.
Or so they say for now.

With the addtions of Steve Pearce and Romulo Sanchez to the roster,they are the second and third players that signed for me since getting back into autographs to join the Pirates.
Brian Bixler was the first earlier this season.

The Pirates also are close to signing a top talent from South America in 16 year old Jonathan Barrios.
Barrios was ranked in the top 25 of prospects in the region.

John Russell has joined the latest baseball fad of batting the pitcher in the 8 hole instead of the customary 9th spot.
The argument is that a average batter will have more of a chance to knock in runners in the 9th spot than the 8th.
I don't buy it and actually I think this is a disadvantage as all too often the pitcher comes up with your 5,6,7 hitters on base in varying situations instead.
Sorry to sound like a "old schooler" here,but this will be a baseball version of the Mood Ring.

Until later,when hopefully I can keep this thing floating on the internet ocean.

Photo Credits
All Photos:Al Behrman-AP Photo

Having PC Problems

I continue to have bad PC Problems to the point that if I close it,it clears all my memory and it takes a few hours to get things right.
Hang in there,hopefully we beat this soon because I have plenty to say about the Hagerstown Suns,the Pirates and the return home of Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik to the New Jersey Devils.!