May 19, 2008
By
Zeldink
Posted at 8:53 am
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|
| Pirates (21-23) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| Cubs (27-17) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 4 | 4 | 1 |
W: Jason Marquis (2-3)
L: Phil Dumatrait (1-2)
S: Kerry Wood (10)
Boxscore
The Pirates again failed to reach the elusive heights of a .500 record yesterday, falling to the Cubs. Things seemed to be lined up for them, what with them facing the notorious Jason Marquis, but it wasn’t in the cards.
Phil Dumatrait started well for the Pirates, but that second time through the Cubs lineup did him in, and provided Chicago with all the runs they needed.
Chicago moved to 10 games over .500, holding a 2 games lead in first place, while Pittsburgh fell to a 4th place tie with the good-for-the-last-week Reds.
The Pirates have an off-day, while the Cubs travel to Houston, sending out Ted Lilly to face the Astros’ Brian Moehler at 7:05pm EDT. I believe it’s ESPN’s Monday night baseball game.
May 16, 2008
By
Zeldink
Posted at 8:32 am
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|
| Pirates (20-21) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 13 | 0 |
| Cardinals (24-19) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 1 |
W: John Grabow (3-1)
L: Jason Isringhausen (1-5)
Boxscore
The Pirates have been very good so far this month. Obviously, it’s unsustainable–it is the Pirates, after all–but it’s nice to see them win some games for a change. Since sweeping the Giants early in the month, they’ve won three straight series. The Cardinals were their latest victims yesterday.
The game wasn’t a pitchers duel, with both starters leaving around the game’s halfway point and allowing way too many runs for a Quality Start. Instead, they both received a Crappy Start, which I think should be added to the official statistical lexicon.
Then it became a battle of the bullpens, and unfortunately for St. Louis, they have Jason Isringhausen, who is in a huge black funk right now.
The Cardinals try to regroup and uncover the magic elixir that helped them so much in April when they start interleague play against the Devil Rays at 8:15pm EDT, starting Braden Looper against Andy Sonnanstine. The Pirates travel to Chicago at 2:20pm EDT where Tom Gorzelanny will attempt to beat Sean Gallagher and pick up some games in the standings.
May 15, 2008
By
Zeldink
Posted at 8:37 am
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|
| Pirates (19-21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Cardinals (24-18) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | - | 5 | 15 | 1 |
W: Todd Wellemeyer (4-1)
L: Paul Maholm (2-4)
Boxscore
As Pat pointed out, Cesar Izturis went 3 for 5 against the Pirates last night, and that never portends good things.
It didn’t for the Pirates, who lost to the Cardinals. Paul Maholm was not sharp, allowing 11 of St. Louis’ 15 hits and getting the loss. Todd Wellemeyer continued to do what he’s done all year, which is pitch surprisingly competent baseball to pick up the win. It’s like Todd is the 2008 St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cardinals needed the win after struggling of late. We get to see the two teams fight again today at 1:15pm EDT when Ian Snell starts against Joel Pineiro.
May 14, 2008
By
Zeldink
Posted at 8:32 am
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|
| Pirates (19-20) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 0 |
| Cardinals (23-18) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 |
W: Marino Salas (1-0)
L: Ron Villone (1-1)
Boxscore
I meant to write about the Cardinals and their returning to earth yesterday, but couldn’t find the time. It’s a good thing there are games every day.
The Cardinals continued their descent back to expectations, losing to the Pirates in 10. Former Red Kyle Lohse was closer to finding his April doppelganger, but he was still bettered by former Red Phil Dumatrait. Neither starter got a decision, thanks to a game-tying Albert Pujols home run in the 8th.
All that did was send it to extra innings where former Red and Pirate Ron Villone came in for the Cardinals. Villone had been amazing in relief up to this point, but today was not his day. Plus, the Pirates are playing great right now, and there was no stopping the Buccos. Villone gave up four to get the loss.
The two play again tonight, with Paul Maholm for the Pirates and Todd Wellemeyer for the Cardinals, at 8:15pm EDT.
May 13, 2008
By
Zeldink
Posted at 8:24 am
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|
| Braves (19-18) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 14 | 1 |
| Pirates (18-20) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
W: Tim Hudson (6-2)
L: John Van Benschoten (0-2)
Boxscore
The Pirates weren’t nearly as lucky in the second game of their doubleheader against the Braves. Proving that he’s only considered a starting prospect because he was drafted so high, John Van Benschoten was shelled all the way back to Indianapolis. (He was demoted after the game.)
Tim Hudson continues his excellent season with the Braves, and had little difficulty dispatching the Pirates, allowing only 1 run over seven innings.
The Pirates did commit 2 more errors, bringing their total for the day to 6. It might be time for some fielding practice, or this strange run of winning for Pittsburgh might end.
The Cardinals are up next for Pittsburgh. Tonight at 8:15pm EDT, Phil Dumatrait starts against Kyle Lohse, in a thrilling battle of ex-Reds.
