Pittsburgh Pirates - A new beginning...

[moore4807]

All good things must come to an end. GM Moore is proud that our hitters mounted a comeback bid, but it wasn't enough on this day.

SP Joe Musgrove (7IP, 7H, 4ER, 1BB, 9K's) struggled early giving up 2 runs in the first inning, then shut the Reds down until the seventh inning when he gave up another two runs. RP Rich Rodriguez (1IP, 0H, 0R, 2K's) had a perfect 8th inning. CL Archie Bradley (0.1IP, 1H, 2ER, 1BB, 0K's) came on after the Pirates went up 5-4 in the bottom of the 8th, but Bradley was unable to hold the lead, then Jacob Lindgren (0.2IP, 1H, 2ER, 1BB, 2K's) relieved Bradley and promptly served up a three run homer to PH Matt Kemp.

LF KeBryan Hayes (2/3, 3R, 1BB) had a great day at the plate, while 2B Erik Gonzalez and RK Trayvon Robinson each contributed 2 hits and combined for 4 of the 6 RBI's.

A side note - the last two games of the Washington series and the first two of this series our Pirates have gotten 8 hits in each, this was the highest run output on the eight hits yet, but we lost the game.

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We will just call this a pitching loss, and just when I think we have turned a corner.

SP Jimmy Nelson (3.1IP, 7H, 7ER, 4BB, 2K's) set the table early, leaving the team down 5-0 after three innings. RP Matt Shoemaker (2.2IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, 3K's) allowed three hits and the 7th run to score, RP Axford then allowed hits enabling RP Ryan Brazier to let in the 8th run.

All of those runs allowed by pitching were just too much for a determined Pirates batting to overcome, although they tried hard. C Elias Diaz (3/4, 1R, 3RBI) took it to the limit, driving in 3RBI on a bases clearing double in the 5th inning, 3B KeBryan Hayes also had multiple hits, but couldn't score or bring anyone home on them.

The part I'm disappointed about is we played so well against the Nationals, then come right back and play down to the Reds level. Enough for them to beat us twice in the 3 game series.

in team news;

SP Chad Kuhl agreed to a one year $950K deal with bonuses, Kuhl has spent the season on the Injury List and will try to make the team next season.

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Head Scout Joe DelliCarri scouted some more South American and Caribbean countries for young talent. He claimed one from the Dominican Republic, a 16 y/o P named Juan Camacho. Even DeliiCarri admitted this player would be a 1/2 star potential "reach". I accept his report without comment.

At least MLB leaders at most doubles has a Pirate on it )

Our power rankings didn't go up as much as I had hoped for. Now 19th ranked.

Finally the part where you must admit your mistakes, I had high hopes for Brian W Anderson and young phenom KeBryan Hayes this season, and traded Colin Moran because of them. It's not too late for the scales to tip in my favor, but as of now it looks like Detroit got the better of this deal.

[moore4807]

The rollercoaster ride continues this past week. The high of beating a playoff bound team 3 games to one, then the frustration of watching your team go low and losing 2 out of 3 to the bottom feeder team in your division.

But we went 4-3 on the week after all. 3B Anderson hit 4/21 for .190 this week, further cementing his place in AAA. LF Jason Martin hit 12/27 for a .444 average in AAA, so the switch will be easy to make. 1B Ryon Healy got NO at bats this week, so he will remain as backup to 1B Josh Bell who had an unusually bad week (4/23, .174, 5R, 3RBI, 7BB, 4K's) but amazingly his OBP is still .367!!

SP Jimmy Nelson was the worst pitcher this week (1W/1L, 7.71 ERA), followed by RP Jacob Lindgren (1H 6.75 ERA), and CL Archie Bradley (0W/1L, 2SV, 5.40 ERA)

We now travel to Philadelphia for a three game set with the Phillies, who we swept last time we played.

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3B Anderson sent to AAA OF Jason Martin called up from AAA
RP Jacob Lindgren sent to AAA. CL Thomas Burrows called up from AAA

[moore4807]

Back to our close games, and a win!

SP Joey Lucchesi (5.2IP, 7H, 3ER, 0BB, 7K's) did a little of everything to win todays game, a little pitching, a little hitting, a little baserunning, well he didn't sell concessions is all I can think of he didn't do today. RP Kyle Crick (2.1IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 4K's) was awesome stifling the Phillies bats after that, and former CL Archie Bradley came in and got his 7th SV.

RF Myles Straw (2/5, 1R, 1RBI) was one of three with multiple hit games today, 1B Josh Bell (2/4 1BB, 1RBI) and LF Jason Martin (2/4 1BB, 1RBI) each had two hits to spearhead the Pirates 11 hit attack.

[moore4807]

We have no consistency!

SP Jameson Taillon (4.2IP, 8H, 4R-3ER, 1HR, 1BB, 4K's) couldn't survive the early hits against him, giving up 3 runs in the first two innings before being forced out before the 5th inning. RP Dario Agrazal (1.1IP, 1H 1R, 1K) gave up the teams other run but was serviceable and RP Ryan Brasier contributed two innings of hitless pitching.

Hitting was dismal, four hits and one run scored on the day. C Reese McGuire scored after doubling, on a RBI single by SS Jose Iglesias in the 7th inning.

In contract news, RP Archie Bradley agrees to a three year $6.75M deal with bonuses and insiders are reporting a year 1 opt out for the player is included.

[moore4807]

This might just be the worst game of the season for the Pirates. our ace pitcher getting shelled early, our offense is missing for most of the weekend, and making simple errors to give away outs!

Where to begin? Our SP Chris Archer (3.1IP, 5H, 6R 5ER, 2BB, 2K's) just brutal out there, AND there actually was a worse pitcher for the Pirates today too. RP Dario Agrazal (2IP, 5H, 5ER, 2HRA, 1BB 2K's) stunk up the joint too.

We did rest two players today, but that is no excuse for this effort. ONLY Elias Diaz managed 2 hits and that was half of the days total!

We head off to Colorado next for a 4 game set.

in MLB news;

Like it wasn't bad enough.. Phillies SS Jean Segura has hit safely in twenty games as of last night, we KNOW he hit safely in todays game so that makes twenty one and a new high streak for the season. ONLY against our Pirates, Ya KNOW??

[moore4807]

We take a look at the Colorado Rockies playing at home against our Pirates for a four game series.

In MLB news;

Cleveland SS Francisco Lindor is day to day with shoulder tendonitis, team staff announce Lindor may miss 2 weeks with the injury.

[moore4807]

It was pretty... for 5 innings.

SP Joe Musgrove (7IP, 5H, 4ER, 0BB, 3K's) was able to deal zeroes right along with Rockies P Jeff Hoffman for the first five innings, then after giving up 2 hits he lost his confidence and gave up back to back HR's to the Rockies. RP John Axford pitched a inning in relief, giving up another run.

Four hits again! one hit by four players each just isn't gonna cut it in this league.

We got beaten - nuff said about that!

[moore4807]

The (AA) Altoona Curve have won their division for the first time. Pirates fans can look forward to a brighter future with this core group rising fast.

In MLB news;

LA Dodgers SP Walker Buehler is sidelined for the rest of the season. He is suffering from rotator cuff inflammation and team doctors have determined he cannot play without the risk of significant injury this year.

[moore4807]

At least the bats woke up here. 15 hits gives the Pirates a much better chance of winning.

SP Jimmy Nelson (6IP, 5H, 2ER, 3BB, 6K's) managed to get the win but instead of easily cruising to a win Nelson labored throughout. Nelson gave up 3 walks and five hits before bowing out at 99 pitches thrown. RP Matt Shoemaker (1IP, 4H,1ER, 1BB) came on and gave up the other two runs before settling down, then RP Kyle Crick and new CL Thomas Burrows shut down the Rockies over the next 2 innings, giving up no hits but 1BB's and each striking out a batter.

SS Jose Iglesias led the offensive attack (3/5, 3RBI), helped along by 3B KeBryan Hayes (2/4, 2R, 1BB) 1B Josh Bell (2/3, 1R, 2BB) and CF Monte Harrison (2/5, 1HR, 2R, 2RBI).

The Pirates have two more games this weekend to get a series win. I also want to point out the Sept. 1st callup date is fast approaching, but with both AA and AAA teams in the playoff hunt, no callups are expected on Sept. 1st.

[moore4807]

Pirates pick up a nice road win.

SP Joey Lucchesi (7IP, 6H, 3ER, 0BB, 8K's) pitched well and RP Rich Rodriguez pitched a scoreless 8th and CL Thomas Burrows pitched a scoreless 9th inning for his second save and to nail down the victory.

C Elias Diaz (3/4 1HR, 3R, 2RBI) was "en fuego" today. C Diaz put the Pirates on his back and carried them over the finish line offensively.


In MLB news;

Washington 2B Brian Dozier suffered an injury that will cut his season short. Dozier's diagnosis, per team doctors is a fractured bone in his elbow. There was no comment from the player about his injury.

[moore4807]

August 2019 Player development update;

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August 2019 Player development update;

[moore4807]

losing a close game hurts worse I think.

SP Jameson Taillon (7.2IP, 4H, 2ER, 1BB, 4K's) pitched a superb game. RP Archie Bradley came on in relief and gave up the deciding run on two consecutive doubles.

SS Jose Iglesias (3/3, 0R, 0RBI) hit the ball with authority but couldn't score or drive in a run. 1B Josh Bell (2/3 1RBI 2BB) managed to drive in one of the two runs, but couldn't perform with the game on the line in the 9th, he grounded out.

As predicted the AAA Indianapolis Indians are advancing to the playoffs. That means nobody from either AA or AAA will join the parent club until their seasons are done.

In MLB news;

All 30 teams are eligible to expand their rosters to 40 players effective today.

[moore4807]

The Pirates went 3-4 on the week.

Pitching was NOT a strong point here this week. SP Joey Lucchesi (2-0, 12.2IP, 13H, 0HR, 6ER, 15K's 1.03 WHIP) won both of his starts. SP Jameson Taillon (0-1 12.1IP, 12H, 1HR, 6R, 5ER, 2BB, 6K's 1.14 WHIP) was the hard luck runner-up. His stats for the week are less shiny, but still pretty good for this staff.

4 of 12 hitters this week were at the .250BA mark or above. SS Jose Iglesias (10/23, .435BA, 5RBI's, 1BB, 2K's) led the week, with 1B Josh Bell (8/19, .421BA, 1triple, 1RS, 3RBI, 8BB, 3K's) close behind. C Elias Diaz (.316BA), and 3B KeBryan Hayes (.258BA) round out the top 4.

We dropped back to 20th position in the power rankings. Not too surprising to see that.

In MLB news;

MLB active career wins list is posted here for your perusal.

[moore4807]

Our remaining games for the month of September, we are fortunate to have a week of home games this week.

Our AAA franchise, the Indianapolis Indians, has won the teams very first West Division crown in franchise history. The Indians will be looking to win their first round 2 championship.

In MLB news;

New York (N) P Stephen Villines is on the shelf after suffering a shoulder injury. Team doctors are saying he will be out for 9 months.

New York(A) RP Dellin Betances signed a three year extension with the Yankees, Scouts are saying it's a good move and Betances should perform up to his potential and contract.

The Phillies Jean Segura continues his hit streak and is currently at 25 games.

My bonehead move for THIS week is... I deleted the scouting report for the Marlins games, I looked but cannot find anywhere to reload them.

[moore4807]

"Just a walk in PNC Park" That was the quote of SP Chris Archer after shutting out the Miami Marlins 3-0 on a complete game 2 hitter.

SP Archer (9IP, 2H, 0ER, 0BB, 10K's) took just 94 pitches to dispatch the Marlins offense, his only nemesis on the Marlins was 2B Starling Castro's two singles.

SP Chris Archer, not known for his batting skills, went 2/4 but was unable to score himself or plate another runner with either hit. RF Myles Straw also went 2/4, not scoring or getting an RBI either.

Mgr. Hurdle noted our opponents SP Wei-Yin Chen, for his 7+ innings of work where he matched Archer frame for frame with zeroes, until the 8th inning.

GM Moore is just hoping for some consistency here to play at the same level game in and game out for the final 4 weeks.

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The White Sox are the second team to fall out of the playoff race...

Texas LHP Drew Smyly is headed for "heartbreak hill" after being told of season ending injury.