[ifspuds]

You knew it had to happen eventually.

You start depending on rookies to make your team competitive, and 9 times out of 10 (if you're lucky), they turn your hair grey. As incredible as Herm Vardaman and Harold Perry were coming out of the gate, in the last half of April, they became non-factors. Vardaman's average sunk to .229, and Perry is now hitting .260. Not surprisingly, the Pirates went 5-8 to finish out April at 12-14, and sit in 5th, 5 games back of the Cardinals.

In search of another starting pitcher, the Pirates shipped A-ball CF Todd Walker to the Philadelphia A's for veteran hurler Damon "Lefty" Bowden. The well-traveled Bowden has pitched for Cleveland, the Red Sox and the A's and is now at the age of 36 making his National League debut. "We were able to get another quality arm without dealing any of our infield prospects, which was our goal from the outset," said GM Jeff Watson. "Bowden is pitching well this season, and we're hoping he can be a workhorse for our rotation."

Turns out that maybe the pitching wasn't the biggest issue for the Pirates. The team ranks 5th in the league in runs allowed and ERA, and 2nd in opponent's batting average... but in the lower half of the league in every offensive category. The season is still young, however, and the continued growth of the rookies will be vital for the team's contention hopes.

The Bright Spots

Ike Walker may be showing the potential expected of him when the previous ownership brought him to the majors at the tender age of 19 in 1943. Brought up to play 3rd base so that Herm Vardaman can cover 2B while Dick Presley nurses a shoulder problem, Walker's made a case to stick around. In 47 ABs since his call-up, Walker's hitting .298 with 4 HRs and a triple. "I know I wasn't ready when I came up last time. But I've been working as hard as I can down in the minors to get back up here," Walker told local reporters after a series against the Cubs. "I don't want to go back to (Pirates' AAA affiliate) Indianapolis any time soon."

The Lowlights

Vic Ullom's gone cold, hitting .190 in his last 5 games, and still hasn't hit a home run. Unfortunately, Ron Fleischmann's followed him, going 0-1 with a 5.60 ERA in his last 3 games. Both players will have to pick up the pace if Pittsburgh hopes to get back in the race.

Other News
Dick Presley's shoulder injury may force him into early retirement. "It feels like I'm trying to lob a shotput to 1st base every time I throw. I'm going to stick it out for the team, but... it's hard. It's really hard," a disappointed Presley said after his batting average dipped to .205.

Elmer Menard and Vic Ullom visited a local children's hospital last week, where they presented sick children with Pirates caps and signed a few autographs. Several of the children presented Ullom with a bat signed by a number of them, hoping that maybe it would break him out of his power slump.