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Bucs Lose Rollercoaster

By Randy Linville | July 2, 2009 | Pittsburgh Lumber Co.

From up five early to a 9th inning comeback against Francisco Rodriguez to losing it in the 10th, this one had it all. All except a Pirates win, that is. This one was delayed by rain and it was a make up for an earlier rain out. Striking an irony chord somewhere. The Pirates jumped on Tim Redding early for five runs. Garrett Jones and Robinzon Diaz each had three hits and two RBI. However, Paul Maholm couldn't hold the lead as the Mets scored eight runs in the middle three frames. The Pirates tied it up in the 9th off of Rodriguez when Adam LaRoche stroked a two run dinger. But, the Mets countered with a run in the 10th off Matt Capps as Ryan Church singled in Fernando Tatis, who had homered earlier in the game. Rodriguez tossed a perfect 10th to lock it down. Maholm went 4-1/3...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Adam LaRoche, Fernando Tatis, Francisco Rodriguez, New York Mets, Paul Maholm, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tim Redding

Broadway Homers Twice, But Bats Take Two From Tribe

By Nancy | July 2, 2009 | Sandlot Swashbucklers

The Indians' holiday weekend began with a double header in Louisville -- but not in a good way.Game 1Louisville Bats 2, Indianapolis Indians 1boxThe Indianapolis Indians were able to put a few runners on base in Game 1 against the Bats at Slugger Field in Louisville this evening, but only one managed to come around to score. That lone run belonged to LF Larry Broadway (photo), who blasted a solo homer in the top of the 7th inning. Starter Eric Hacker (photo) struggled in the early innings. The bottom of the 1st inning began with a single by Bats' CF Drew Stubbs. Hacker quickly picked Stubbs off first base, with a controversial call at first base. The umpire's call stood, of course, and after a second out, Hacker walked RF Chris Heisey. 1B Kevin Barker followed with a double into center field, which Tribe CF Luis Cruz could not get to,...

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Homers for Tabata, Hernandez, Romak (2), Hague

By Nancy | July 2, 2009 | Sandlot Swashbucklers

Thursday in the Pirates' lower minor league organization.Big surprise -- the GCL Bradenton Pirates were rained out. That's 5 games now that they've been unable to play -- and they've only played 4 games.Altoona Curve 4, Reading Phillies 3boxHome runs by RF Jose Tabata and CF Gorkys Hernandez gave the Curve the boost they needed. Altoona scored their first two runs in the 2nd inning. LF Jeff Corsaletti reached base on a fielding error, and he moved around the bases on a sacrifice bunt and a ground out, then scored on 3B Angel Gonzalez's RBI single. Two more singles, by starting pitcher Tyler Herron and 2B Jim Negrych brought Gonzalez home. Tabata's homer led off the bottom of the 3rd inning, and Hernandez's came with two outs in the 4th. The Curve's only other big threat came after Tabata's blast in the 3rd. 1B Jason Delaney followed the homer with a...

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Kratz and Bootcheck Named to IL All-Star Team

By Nancy | July 2, 2009 | Sandlot Swashbucklers

The International League All-Star team roster has been set, and it includes two members of the Indianapolis Indians: C Erik Kratz (photo) and righty reliever Chris Bootcheck. Kratz is hitting .280 with 17 doubles, 3 home runs, and 20 RBI for the Indians. He has also stolen 6 bases this season. He hit .308 during the month of June, and currently has a hit in 9 of his last 10 games. Kratz has also thrown out 31% of runners trying to steal a base.Bootcheck, (photo) the Indians' closer, has appeared in 30 games for the Indians. He has a 1-2 record with 14 saves (second highest in the International League) and a 2.91 ERA. In 34 innings on the mound, he has walked only 6 batters and struck out 48. The La Porte, Indiana native has not allowed a run in the month of June.The AAA All-Star game will be held...

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Home Run Trot's June All-Star Team: Position Players

By Jonathan Etkowicz | July 2, 2009 | MLB Notebook

The monthly All-Star team is another feature I'm bringing over from my old blog. For those unfamiliar with my previous work, here are the April and May posts. I'm bringing the All-Star team over to MLB Notebook with a twist. It's going to be divided into two posts. One for the position players and a second for the pitching staff. Now that I'm working with some other great writers, these monthly posts can properly be used to start a discussion.*All stats are compiled as of 7 PM EST on July 1. Catcher: Bengie Molina, San Francisco GiantsMaking this selection was...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Aaron Hill, Adam Lind, Albert Pujols, Andrew McCutchen, Bengie Molina, Boston Red Sox, Brad Hawpe, Carl Crawford, Chase Utley, Colorado Rockies, Evan Longoria, Florida Marlins, Hanley Ramirez, Home Run Trot, Home Run Trot All-Stars, Jason Bay, Los Angeles Angels, Pablo Sandoval, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Torii Hunter, Toronto Blue Jays

Thursday's Games of the Day

By Jonathan Etkowicz | July 2, 2009 | MLB Notebook

Thursday brings us another short schedule with only nine games scheduled. Thursday is still filled with good games. The Mets and Pirates finish a series that began in June. Houston and San Diego face off in a matchup of teams just out of last place in their divisions. The Phillies look to beat the Braves and stay in first in the NL East. And the Brewers and Cubs renew their rivalry. Those games and more can be found below. New York Mets at Pittsburgh: This game is a makeup of the June 3 game that was postponed. If Paul Maholm and...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Adam LaRoche, Adrian Gonzalez, Albert Pujols, Atlanta Braves, Barry Zito, Bruce Chen, Carlos Beltran, CC Sabathia, Chase Utley, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Games of the Day, Houston Astros, Ichiro Suzuki, J.J. Hardy, JA Happ, Jason Vargas, Javier Vazquez, Kansas City Royals, Mark Buehrle, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Paul Maholm, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Ryan Dempster, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tim Redding, Wandy Rodriguez

Wells, Lee Lead Cubbie Charge

By Randy Linville | July 1, 2009 | Pittsburgh Lumber Co.

Randy Wells continued his solid pitching effort and Derrek Lee hit a two run first inning homer as the Cubs took two of three at PNC. Wells evened his record at 3-3 (he's won his last three starts) and lowered his ERA below 2.50. He went seven and allowed one run on six hits (five singles and a double) and one walk. Lee's homer was all Wells would need. The Pirates only run came in the home half of the first as Andrew McCutchen came around on a Brandon Moss single. Virgil Vasquez didn't do himself much disservice. He went six and gave up three runs - a Kosuke Fukudome tater in the sixth was the final tally off him. He gave up seven hits and three walks. He struck out a pair. Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg finished up, with Gregg getting a save. The Good McCutchen had two...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Chicago Cubs, Derrek Lee, Pittsburgh Pirates, Randy Wells, Virgil Vasquez

Eastern League All-Stars Named; Homers by Negrych, Delaney, Romak

By Nancy | July 1, 2009 | Sandlot Swashbucklers

The Eastern League has named it's All-Star teams. The Southern Division team includes three members of the Altoona Curve:OF/1B Jason Delaney (photo)SS Brian FridayLHP/Starter Danny MoskosThe Eastern League All-Star Game will be held on July 15th in Trenton.The Indianapolis Indians have a scheduled day off on Wednesday. They are heading to Louisville tomorrow, where they will play a double-header on Thursday and a single game on Friday.The GCL Bradenton Pirates had a double-header scheduled for today, since they've had a few rainouts in the past few days, but guess what -- it was rained out too.Indian pitching prospects Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel, who have been working out at Bradenton and generally learning how to play this game, are expected to make their pro debuts soon with the Bradenton Pirates. The Pirates have signed 3rd round draft pick OF Evan Chambers to a contract. He will be reporting to State College....

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MLB Great Debates: Which Playoff Contender Needs a Trade to Stay in the Race?

By Staff Report | June 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Jaymes Langrehr and Kurt Evans debate the issue: Which contending team most needs to make a deal before the July 31 trade deadline in order to stay in the race? Jaymes Langrehr argues that the Brewers desperately need starting pitching:As we get closer to the trade deadline, a good number of teams are developing clear needs that need to be addressed if they're going to stay in playoff contention. Some teams will be able to cope with their weaknesses and still make the playoffs due to their other strengths. Other clubs will need to make a move if they have any chance at contending in the second half.The Milwaukee Brewers are a prime example. Heading into this season, they knew that their pitching wouldn't be as good as it was down the stretch last season. Given the strength of their offense, however, they figured to be in okay...Read more

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Fantasy Baseball: Pittsburgh Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen

By Brad Berreman | June 15, 2009 | MVN Outsider

When the Pittsburgh Pirates traded OF Nate McLouth to the Atlanta Braves earlier this month, that opened up a spot for top prospect Andrew McCutchen to play center field. In 201 at-bats at Triple-A this season, McCutchen was hitting .303 with four home runs, 20 RBI and 10 stolen bases prior to being called up to replace McLouth and he has not disappointed thus far in his big league career. In 49 at-bats through Sunday, he is hitting .327 with seven RBI and two stolen bases. The 22-year old McCutchen was taken by the Pirates with the eleventh overall pick in the 2005 draft. In 2006, his first full professional season, he hit .294 with 17 home runs, 74 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 134 games between Single-A and Double-A. In 2007, in 135 games between Double-A and Triple-A, he hit .265 with 11 home runs, 53 RBI and 21 stolen bases. In 2008 McCutchen spent the entire season at Triple-A, hitting .283 with nine home...Read more

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MLB Stock Market - Meeting our Expectations Edition

By Kurt Evans | June 8, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Things are starting to play out as we thought they would. Not that anybody can ever be completely right -- even the experts rock a far-less-than 100% accuracy rating -- but there are fewer and fewer surprises as the season wears on. Take the AL East for example. As expected, the Yankees and Red Sox are battling it out for first place. The Jays have descended to third in the division while Tampa is struggling to get over .500. And the Orioles? Let's just say "not so good," because we don't want to hurt peoples' feelings.But that doesn't mean we can roll over and go back to sleep until September. Some pretty impressive things are happening right now -- not necessarily record-breaking things, but good baseball is happening none the less. And even if things are starting to play out like we would have assumed they would, there is plenty of time...Read more

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MLB Great Debates: The Ballpark Experience

By Staff Report | May 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Jaymes Langrehr and Kurt Evans debate the issue: Which experience is better, going to a Major League Baseball game or going to a minor-league one?Jaymes Langrehr says MLB's quality is top-notch:Where I grew up, I was about a three-hour drive east away from Milwaukee County Stadium, and a three-hour drive west away from the Metrodome. I was literally stuck in the middle of nowhere when it came to the MLB map, and looking back, I was definitely jealous of the kids who were able to spend their summers buying cheap Brewers tickets and move their way up to field level (because it's not like anyone was sitting in those seats, anyway). Still, the few major-league games that I was able to attend were incredible -- even though the home team almost always got crushed. Even when your team stinks, there's something special about a Major League game that...Read more

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MLB Outsider Mock Draft: Pittsburgh Pirates Select Alex White

By Staff Report | May 13, 2009 | MVN Outsider

White - minervacat

MLB Outsider is hosting a 2009 MLB mock draft, where bloggers from all over come together in an attempt to project the draft results that will take place June 9. Where Have You Gone Andy Van Slyke?'s Pat Lackey picks for the Pittsburgh Pirates at No. 4. The RHP Alex White from the University of North Carolina makes for back-to-back UNC picks. Follow the mock draft here.Let's be honest here, the Pirates could go with any of about four guys with this pick. If they're looking for pitching, Aaron Crow and Tyler Matzek are just as highly rated as White. There's also Grant Green still on the board, but I think questions about his ability to stay at shortstop and his relative down year at the plate might rule him out at this spot. Still, the Pirates could take any one of Crow, Matzek, White, or Green in this...Read more

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MLB Draft: National League Central Team Needs

By Staff Report | May 13, 2009 | MVN Outsider

This is the third in a series of posts authored by guest columnist Josh Lacey leading up to the 2009 MLB Draft. Today, he considers the needs of organizations competing in the National League Central. Previously, he profiled 20 top draft prospects and reviewed NL West team needs.Chicago CubsLeft-handed PitcherThe Cubs are currently without a single impact lefty in their farm system and this year's draft is stocked with high upside southpaws, so I'd be surprised if they don't look that way early. With 3/5 of their rotation locked up long term the team has the luxury of taking a high upside high school project to develop. Tyler Matzek, Matt Purke and Tyler Skaggs are the highest rated prospects who fit the bill, though there's a chance all three will be off the board when the Cubs are on the clock at 31. First BaseDerrek Lee has a contract...Read more

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, MLB Draft, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals

MLB Great Debates: Steroids and the Hall of Fame

By Staff Report | May 13, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Jaymes Langrehr and Kurt Evans debate the issue: Should the BBWAA look past the use of performance-enhancing drugs and vote known "steroids guys" into the National Baseball Hall of Fame?Jaymes Langrehr says the writers will eventually have no choice but to vote in tainted players:Once again, the game of baseball has been rocked by a star testing positive for a banned substance. Every time this happens, everyone ends up trying to decide if that player is going to be allowed to enter the Hall of Fame. And every time this happens, all the old time-tested baseball writers voting for the Hall say that the player will get in over their dead bodies.It's getting to the point now, though, that eventually they're going to have to lighten up, or risk enshrining some undeserving players. If they stick to their word, we won't be getting Alex Rodriguez and Manny...Read more

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MLB Stock Market - The World Is Upside Down Edition

By Kurt Evans | May 11, 2009 | MVN Outsider

I don't remember last year being this unusual. We've got high profile steroid busts, Hall of Fame careers coming undone, a competitive Kansas City Royals team, cats and dogs living together ... it's mass hysteria!RisingAlex RodriguezNot that he's going to be able to keep it up. I've got a pretty strong feeling that Alex Rodriguez is eventually going to crumble under the pressure of his transgressions. But for now at least he has started the year with authoritative fashion, hitting a homerun in his first at bat in 2009. Look to see him on the flip side of this column next week in all likelihood. Zack GreinkeYou know how there are players who are called 4A players (or AAAA players) - guys who are too good for Triple A but not good enough for the Majors? Well there is apparently another class of player. Let's call him a Major Leaguer+. ...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays

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