[Operation Shutdown]

I had to dig this one up from the past, actually it wasn't too difficult as I still had the links in my signature. Anyway, I got sidetracked in trying to run a full 100+ years and store it into Cato, and I'm finished with that but am having trouble creating the web pages from Cato. Not really sure what the problem is, but I'm pretty sure it's just a little brother that's being a major pain and keeps closing the program while it's running so I can't get all the files out. I think I'll have to pull out my laptop and run it on their, and just leave it running for a few days. Anyway, I decided I might as well pick this dynasty back up where I left off with it. As a quick refresh, the Bucs are currently 38-38, just five games back of the first place Cubs, but have lost six straight games.

Week 13
The Pirates start this week off with a three game series at home against the Houston Astros, who are the last place team in the majors with a record of 26-49 and whom the Pirates are 3-4 against this season. The Astros have a decent starting rotation with Danys Baez (2-3 3.82), Freddy Garcia (3-10 4.71), Mitch Talbot (5-5 4.75), and Kirk Saarloos (5-7 2.83). However their offense has been rather inept, as sluggers Wily Mo Pena (.262 6 41) and Austin Kearns (0.229 14 35) just haven't produced to expectations.

Game 77: Pirates 0 Astros 4
The Pirates losing streak continues, as once again the offense just couldn't get in gear. Baez pitched a great game for the Astros earning the shutout win, while giving up just three hits in 8 1/3 innings of work. Lopez didn't fare too badly, but he still got the loss as he gave up four runs in eight innings.

Game 78: Pirates 2 Astros 6 Glove Day at PNC Park
Chalk up another in the loss column for the Pirates. VanBenSchoten struggled a bit in his outing today, giving up four runs 6 2/3 innings for the loss. The Pirate offense once again didn't provide much help, as the scored just two runs in nine innings off of starter Freddy Garcia, who picked up just his 4th win of the season.

Game 79: Pirates 2 Astros 0
The Pirate pitching staff took things in their own hands in this game and finally ended the Bucs long losing streak. The Pirate offense managed just two runs in 7 innings off of Saarloos, but this time that's all that they needed as Williams pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings for the win. White got the hold, picking up the last out in the eighth, and Mann held on for the save in the ninth, his 18th of the season. This win came at a cost, however, as third baseman Drew Henson injured his shoulder and will likely miss the next 7-10 days.

The Pirates now travel to Cleveland, to finish off a home and home season against the Indians. The Indians destroyed the Pirates (5-2, 11-9, 6-1) in the three games at PNC Park, and the Bucs are looking to return the favor at Jacobs Field. The Indians have combined an average pitching staff with Jose Contreras (9-3 3.61), Dennis Stark (7-5 4.11), and rookie Derrick Van Dusen (7-7 5.26) along with an explosive lineup consisting of IRod (0.280 10 38), Ryan Church (0.265 17 59), Travis Hafner (0.326 26 65), Jack Cust (0.273 18 54), and Brandon Phillips (0.313 11 56) to become one of the better teams in the majors.

Game 80: Pirates 5 Indians 3
The Pirates came out on top of this game, thanks to good solid pitching and timely hitting. Bullington pitched well, giving up three runs in 7 1/3 innings for the win. White held on, picking up the final two outs in the eighth, and Mann came in again to close out the ninth to earn his 19th save of the season. Rodriguez struggled on the mound for the Indians, giving up five runs in 6 2/3 innings. Butler and Doumit homered for the Bucs, both solo shots off of Rodriguez and Chruch hit a solo homer off of Bullington in the eighth.

Game 81: Pirates 15 Indians 1 Baseball Cap Day at Jacobs Field
Pirate manager Lloyd McClendon made a slight tinker change to the lineup, switching Hill to leadoff and Butler to the second spot, to try and spark something in the offense. Hill and Butler each contributed with one hit, and scoring two runs, but the biggest sparks came from JJ Davis, who went 4-5 with 5 RBIs and Yurendell DeCaster who went 3-5 with 6 RBIs. The target of the Pirates frustration was let out on Indians starter CC Sabathia, as he gave up nine runs in five innings for the loss. The Pirates got another superb starter from Sean Burnett who pitched a complete game giving up just one run off of six hits.

Game 82: Pirates 5 Indians 3
Another solid game by both the Pirates pitching staff and the Pirates offense. Lopez pitched well, giving up just three runs in eight innings for the win, and Mann once again came in to close out the ninth, putting the Indians down 1-2-3 for his 20th save of the season. Stark didn't have his best performance, as he gave up five runs, four of them earned, in 6 2/3 innings for the loss. Davis hit his 16th homer of the season and Doumit added his third while Church hit his 19th of the season.

Around the league, on Monday Texas' Carlos Beltran turned in a five hit performance against the A's. On Saturday, L.A.'s Jeff Weaver turned in a stellar performance against the Mariners, giving up just two hits and leading the Dodgers to a 5-0 victory.