[Operation Shutdown]

It turns out that I think the problem I had with VanBenSchoten not winning the rookie of the year was due to me using the total minor's roster set and it appears that I'm going to have the same problem with Bullington this year as well. On top of that, all of my young players that were not game created will have one less year of arbitration, making it just that much harder for me, oh well, that just really sucks, but there's nothing for me to do about that I guess.

Week 3
The Pirates begin this week with a four game series against the Milwaukee Brewers who are 6-6 and whom the Pirates are 3-0 against this season. The Brewer starting rotation is well below average with Hendrickson (10-9 4.25), Valdes (8-16 5.10) and Burnett (8-18 5.49) at the top of the rotation. Their lineup is much better with Richie Sexson (0.290 33 103), Andrea Lemmons (0.278 14 76), and Kelly Grams (0.283 26 79).

Game 13: Pirates 4 Brewers 3
Both starters pitched fairly well with VanBenSchoten and Hendrickson each giving up three runs off of 8 hits, wtih JVB lasting 6 innings, and Hendrickson went 6 2/3 and neither got a decision. The Pirates scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth when Ravelo and Cota hit back to back two out doubles. Mann pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win, while Quevedo was charged with the winning run and got the loss.

Game 14: Pirates 3 Brewers 2
Both starters once again pitched well, with Dave Williams lasting seven innings and giving up two runs off of just three hits and Burnett giving up two runs in six innings as neither starter once again got the decision. The Pirates won this game in the bottom of the ninth when McDougall doubled down the line to score DeCaster. Mann once again picked up the win, picking up the last out in the top of the ninth inning.

Game 15: Pirates 11 Brewers 8
Bullington didn't fare too well out on the mound, giving up five runs in two innings. Luckily for him, the Pirates offense showed up and managed to score six runs in just 1/3 of an inning off of former Pirate Oliver Perez. Despite giving up three runs in 2 2/3 innings, Scot Shields was credited with the win in this game, but htis time the win definitely went to the offense. Rookie 1B Prince Fielder hit two homeruns for the Brewers, while JJ Davis also hit two dingers for the Bucs. Mann pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the save.

Game 16: Pirates 3 Brewers 4 Baseball Cap Day at PNC Park
Both starters once again pitched a decent game, with Ponson giving up two runs in seven innings and Steitz giving up two runs in six innings, but again neither starter got the decision. The Brewers took the lead when Ochoa hit a two out triple off of Jimenez with two runners on base to take the lead 4-2. Both runs were charged to White, who picked up the loss. The Pirates tried to answer back when Nady hit his first homerun, a solo shot with two outs off of Nance. Adams came in after that and got four Pirates out in a row to pick up the save.

Series Recap: The Pirates still own the Brewers, even if they did lose one game against them. They still hold on to a commanding lead in the central division.

The Cubs now travel to Chicago for a three game series against the Cubs who are 9-6 and whom the Pirates are 1-2 against so far this season. The Cubs still have an outstanding starting rotation with Prior (15-7 2.52), Kennedy (18-10 2.96), and Smyth (14-8 3.74) at the top of the rotation. Their lineup is still also formidable with Choi (0.280 29 80), Kelton (0.273 39 109) and Sosa (0.295 40 113) still leading the way. Closer Danny Kolb is still out with a ruptured tricep tendon and will miss this series on the DL.

Game 17: Pirates 5 Cubs 2
Lopez continues to make a case for himself to be the Pirates top starter as he goes six innings, giving up just one run and picking up the win. Garland struggled for the Cubs, giving up five runs, four of them earned in eight innings for the loss. After Corey gave up a run in the ninth, Mann came in and go the next two Cubs batters out to pick up his 7th save of the season. Hill had a good day for the Bucs, going 4-5 with 2 RBIs and earning the player of the game nomination.

Game 18: Pirates 3 Cubs 7 Glove Day at Wrigley Field
VanBenSchoten was doing well until the 6th inning, when the Cubs scored six runs in the inning off of him while he didn't record a single out. He lasted just 5+ innings, giving up seven runs, six of them earned, for the loss. Webb did well in his first start this season for the Cubs, giving up three runs, two of them earned, and lasting the complete game for the win.

Game 19: Pirates 4 Cubs 5
Williams went just 1+ innings and gave up two runs. Thomson went 6 2/3 innings and gave up four runs. Neither starter got the decision. The Pirates took the lead in the seventh 4-2 with a two run homerun by Vic Butler. Then in the bottom of the eighth, Grabow put two runners on base while recording just one out. Mann then came in and got Bellhorn to strike out, but then made one mistake on a pitch to Kelton and he made him pay with a homerun to right center field to give the Cubs the 5-4 lead. The Pirates managed just one hit in the top of the ninth off of Ohman, who picked up the save. Mann was charged with the loss and Hagerty was credited with the win.

Series Recap: No matter how good the Pirates are and what kind of a roll they're on, the Cubs always find a way to win against them. The Pirates are now just one game up on St. Louis.

Around the league, on Monday Texas' Carlos Beltran tore an abdominal muscle while running the bases and will miss the next 6 weeks. Then on Thursday, Tampa Bay's Roy Roberts strained an elbow ligament while making a routine throw and will miss the next 4-5 weeks. Lastly, Oakland will be without their ace Barry Zito for at least the next 6 weeks with back spasms that he began to suffer from during a game on Saturday against Texas.