Blown. Bucs SWEPT

	R	H	E	LOB
	5	14	1	6
	6	12	1	8

The Pirates found yet another way to lose a baseball game, having leads of 4-0 and 5-1 blown.  Not even having one of the best hitting days in weeks could help them win this game.  Only Ryan Church was held off the bases, and while Cutch's hitless streak continues, he was able to score a run after taking a walk.  5 Pirates had 2 or more hits: Jose Tabata (3 for 5 with a run), Garrett Jones (3 for 4 with a run and an RBI, Ryan Doumit (2 for 4 with a run and an RBI), Lastings Milledge (2 for 4), and Bobby Crosby (2 for 4).  Jeff Karstens had yet another solid outing with 3 runs (2 earned) allowed, but the bullpen let him down.  Evan Meek, arguably the best reliever in the league and certainly the best on the Pirates, let 2 runs score to tie the game.  He didn't get the call on a strikeout, but he still had an opportunity to leave the inning intact.  In the 9th, new reliever Steven Jackson let the walkoff single that won the game for the Rangers, and the Bucs were swept. Sigh.

Yuck. Bucs LOSE

	R	H	E	LOB
	3	6	1	7
	13	17	0	13

Never trust a pitching matchup to go the way it's expected to when it comes to the Pirates.  Paul Maholm only lasted 1+ innings and gave up 7 R, 7 H, and 4 BB in that span.  Dana Eveland was equally horrible in long relief.  The rest of the bullpen was solid.  GFJ's hit streak was snapped.  Bobby Crosby had 2 hits to run it up to 8 hits in 3 games. Terrible game.

Double Up. Bucs LOSE

	R	H	E	LOB
	3	10	1	8
	6	7	1	5

Another very frustrating game to watch.  Ross Ohlendorf was perfect through 3 innings, and then fell apart, giving up 2 homers and 4 runs.  Despite getting hits from all but 2 Pirates (Tabata, who reached on a Fielder's Choice in the 9th, and McCutchen, who went 0 for 4), the Pirates were yet again unable to bring home more than 3 runners.  Garrett Jones went 2 for 4 with an RBI, extending his hitting streak to an NL-best 12 games.  Bobby Crosby is on a ridiculous hitting tear, garnering 3 hits for the second time in as many games and an RBI in each.  No reason to switch him out for Cedeno at short at this point, as his defense is comparable to Cedeno's.  Pedro got his second MLB hit, a soft single to RF.  The bullpen came back down to Earth again, with only 1 K, 2 ER, 1 HR, and 4 walks.  Hopefully the Pirates can get back on track tonight with an easier pitcher on the Rangers' side and Paul Maholm, the Bucs' most consistent starter, on the mound.

SERIES 24 - Rangers

Texas Rangers

Tuesday, June 22, 8:05 PM (FSN)
 Wednesday, June 23, 8:05 PM (FSN)
 Thursday, June 24, 8:05 PM (FSN)

 

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, TX

Listen live on [WPGB]

---

This will be a very tough road trip for the young Bucs, although the hardest match-up is the first one against the Rangers.  On paper, the Bucs' lineup for this trip is one of the strongest they've had in years.  If all goes well and the pitching is good, we should have strong hitters the whole way through the lineup.  Of course, it almost never works out that way.  Ryan Church is the DH, and he will probably be switched out for Delwyn Young if he does poorly.

The Rangers are coming off an 8-game winning streak and have won 11 of their last 12.  Obviously, they are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now, but all good things must come to an end eventually.  The Pirates bring a much more modest 2-game streak and hope they can add to that.  The attitude in the clubhouse is much improved from last week, so hopefully that works in their favor as well.

---

Expected Pitching Matchups

June 22: Ross Ohlendorf (0-5-4, 5.22 ERA) vs. Tommy Hunter (2-0-1, 2.08 ERA)
June 23: Paul Maholm (4-5-5, 3.77 ERA) vs. Dustin Nippert (2-3-18, 5.01 ERA)
June 24: Jeff Karstens (2-2-9, 4.72 ERA) vs. Scott Feldman (5-6-3, 5.16 ERA)

Proposed Lineups

Pirates

1. J. Tabata, LF
2. N. Walker, 2B
3. A. McCutchen, CF
4. G. Jones, 1B
5. R. Church, DH
6. P. Alvarez, 3B
7. R. Doumit, C
8. L. Milledge, RF
9. B. Crosby, SS

Rangers

1. E. Andrus, SS
2. M. Young, 3B
3. I. Kinsler, 2B
4. V. Guerrero, DH
5. J. Hamilton, LF
6. N. Cruz, RF 
7. J. Smoak, 1B
8. M. Treanor, C
9. J. Borbon, CF

Let's Go Bucs. (100th post!)