Pirates Struggles Continue..

The Pirates and Astros 3 game set finished this afternoon with another ugly loss for the Buccos. They seem to really be missing Freddy Sanchez in the field and batter box. The last 11 games the Pirates are 3-8 and slowly slipping into obscurity at the bottom on the NL Central. They are still 8 games back from 1st place but the problem is that they are now 4 games back of 5th place. While every team in the Central is staying steady and keep a close eye on each other the Buccs keep finding ways to lose and slip out of the race.

Now can anyone say they honestly expected this team to compete for a division title? HELL NO! Its just the opportunity this team has and with the talent they do have it is kind of frustrating to watch us get 3-4 hit every other night. They now have scored 1 run or less 23 times this year, that more than 1/4th of the season so far.

1 of the the few bright spots with the bat has been Garrett Jones lately. Seemingly when no one else find a way to hit the ball hes at least getting a hit here and there.

The Pirates play the World Series Champs and 1 of the hottest teams in the majors right now, the Philedelphia Phillies the next 3 games. The Phillies have been killing teams lately and have 1 of the best offenses in the league. I think its safe to say this is going to be another tough series to watch. Hopefully the Buccs can get Freddy Sanchez back, hes supposed to be back in the lineup on Friday.

The Buccs will throw Duke, Ohlendorf and Vazquez at Blanton, Hamels, and rookie J.A. Happ. The Phillies Stadium is another sandbox and will make it even tougher for Pirate pitchers as they not only struggle on the road but seem to get lit up in all hitter ball parks.

With the trade deadline looming in the coming weeks, who knows whats going to happen. I just know if somehow Adam laroche, Freddy Sanchez, Matt Capps, Jack Wilson, John Grabow get traded this is probably going to be 1 of the worst second halfs pirates may ever watch. If we cant hit with these guys in the lineup, what the hell are they gonna do w/o them. Altho with the way Adam Laroche is hitting it might be an upgrade.

I believe things will turn around but things always have to get worse before they get better. That's just the way it is in life. Hang on Buccs fans, find the positives so matter how few their are. Enjoy baseball for what it is, a game. Games are meant to be fun and enjoyable so lets take it for what its worth and hope for the best.


After the game the Pirates optioned Steve Pearce and Steven Jackson back to AAA. They recalled Donnie Veal because of the rule 5 obligation. They will recall someone else before fridays game to fill out the roster.