Pirates News

"The Braves-Pirates game was rained out Sunday and is scheduled to be made up as part of a Monday doubleheader beginning at 12:35 p.m. at PNC Park. Sunday's planned starting pitchers, Atlanta's Jair Jurrjens and Pittsburgh's Zach Duke, are now scheduled to start the first game of the doubleheader. Tim Hudson is scheduled to start the second game for the Braves against right-hander John Van Benschoten, in his first start of the season for the Pirates."

"Sunday's game against the Atlanta Braves was rained out. The teams will play a doubleheader at 12:35 p.m. today. The pitching matchup will be the same for the first game -- Jair Jurrjens (4-2, 2.84 ERA) vs. Zach Duke (1-2, 4.60) -- but the second game will have Tim Hudson (5-2, 2.90) vs. John Van Benschoten (0-1, 4.91). Phil Dumatrait, who had been slated to pitch today, will instead start Tuesday in St. Louis."

"Phil Dumatrait used to worry too much about who was at the plate instead of concentrating on what pitches to throw. "Last year, I was kind of pitching to the names on the back (of the jersey), I guess," said Dumatrait, who will start Tuesday for the Pirates against the St. Louis Cardinals. Dumatrait got caught up in a bit of rookie awe when the Cincinnati Reds brought him up to the majors last season. As a result, he went 0-4 with a 15.00 ERA in six games. "

"The Pirates' five-game winning streak was placed on hold. Their scheduled game with the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park was rained out this afternoon, and it will be made up as part of a 12:35 p.m. doubleheader tomorrow. Zach Duke and Jair Jurrjens, the scheduled pitchers for today, will have the first game. John Van Benschoten and Tim Hudson will have the second."

"When the Pirates made up their minds early in spring training that Ryan Doumit would be a full-time catcher the hope was he would bring a big bat and be adequate defensively. They were correct on the former, but they might have underestimated the latter. It is early, and it remains to be seen how well -- or if -- Doumit holds up over what would be his first full season behind the plate, but his work to date has exceeded expectations, maybe by a wide margin."

"It took some rain to make it happen, but John Van Benschoten will make his first start of the season for the Pirates today. Their scheduled game against the Atlanta Braves yesterday at PNC Park was rained out, bringing a doubleheader today -- first pitch at 12:35 p.m. -- as well as an adjustment to the rotation. Zach Duke, expected to start yesterday, will pitch Game 1 today and Van Benschoten will get the start for Game 2, with manager John Russell electing to push back Phil Dumatrait and the rest of the regulars by a day."

"Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer in the first inning, but then the Braves quickly reverted to their road mode. That is, losing mode. The Braves wasted opportunities in almost every inning during a 5-2 loss against the Pirates on Saturday night at PNC Park, another road setback for the team with the best home record and worst road record in the major leagues."

"Sure, Tom Gorzelanny gave up an early two-run home run to Atlanta's Mark Teixeira last night at PNC Park, but he persisted and gave up nothing else over 7 2/3 innings as the Pirates overtook the Braves, 5-2, to extend their winning streak to a season-high five. The common thread in the streak has been as clear as Andrews' message: The five starters in those games, the full rotation, have gone 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA."

"Neal Huntington does plenty of traveling as the Pirates' general manager. But, unlike predecessor Dave Littlefield, it seldom is done for the purpose of watching his team's road games. "I'm not from the school where the general manager has to be with the club every trip," Huntington explained. "I know there's an old-school approach that somebody has to be with the club just in case. I'm not from the school. John Hart wasn't that way. Mark Shapiro wasn't that way. Dan Duquette. Jim Beattie. Those are the guys I learned from.""

"Once again, Freddy Sanchez's shoulder is flaring up on him. The Pirates' second baseman, slowed all spring and for much of April by lingering pain in his surgically repaired right shoulder, acknowledged yesterday that the pain is back. And, sometimes, it is back with a vengeance. "I'm playing through it, but there are times when it's killing me," Sanchez said. "It's hurting every time I throw right now. I don't understand why it keeps coming back. I'm just trying to get over the hump.""

"Baseball is in the late innings of an era that has encompassed performances by an abundance of players who rank highly on the various all-time stats lists. Peruse those lists and the active players are denoted by an asterisk next to their names. When there is any doubt, the asterisk remains. This is true in the case of 43-year-old Barry Bonds, a man whom his agent, Jeff Borris, reiterated this week is not retired. Bonds, who is said to be working out just in case, has found no job in baseball. He was paid $16.4 million last season by the San Francisco Giants, but since, has been indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. "

"When the Steelers held minicamp last weekend after the NFL Draft, the locker-room talk wasn't centered around first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall's potential carries or whether second-rounder Limas Sweed will eventually become Ben Roethlisberger's favorite receiver. Instead, they focused on finding ways to get the hottest ticket in town, for Penguins' Stanley Cup playoff games. "

"Freddy Sanchez's already iffy shoulder has gotten worse in recent days. Sanchez re-injured his right shoulder making a relay throw during a game last week against the Washington Nationals. He has started every game since for the Pirates, but he is playing through pain. "It was going good for a while," Sanchez said Saturday. "But right after that relay play it started hurting again. "There's a lot of pain in there. But I've just got to go out there and do the best I can with what I've got." "

"If there was ever a sign that stealing bases is back in vogue, it's that Jason Bay already has swiped three bags. "Three is not going to make me the next Vince Coleman," Bay said, laughing. True, but the mere fact Bay's in motion on the basepaths is more significant than how many bases he nabs. It reflects a trend throughout the majors of runners more often getting the green light. Bay reached double digits in steals every season in the minors. In 2005, when he was the National League Rookie of the Year, Bay swiped 21. Last season, however, Bay had just four steals in five attempts. He has four already this season. "

"Ronny Paulino drove in three runs and Tom Gorzelanny was sharp for seven innings Saturday, as the Pirates cruised past the Atlanta Braves, 5-2. It was the Pirates' fifth win in a row, a season high. It's their best stretch since a five-game streak April 22-27, 2007. Paulino broke the game open with a two-run double in the sixth inning. "

"Fresh off a six-game homestand sweep, the Braves hit the road and were dealt another wrenching defeat, losing 3-2 to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night in the opener of a four-game series at PNC Park. Freddy Sanchez's two-out, ninth-inning single off Jeff Bennett (0-2) was the game-ender, leaving Glavine with another no-decision after seven strong innings."

"Jason Michaels realizes the Pirates didn't expect to get an everyday player when they traded for him. Going into last night's game, Pirates' outfielders Jason Bay, Nate McLouth and Xavier Nady had combined to lead the majors in homers (20), batting average (.311), slugging percentage (.541) and on-base percentage (.400). McLouth and Nady have started all 35 games. Bay has started 34. "That's awesome," Michaels said Friday. "I'm here if maybe they need a day off or something. They're great guys to watch." "

"Put Freddy Sanchez at the top of the batting order, and good things will happen. Friday night, Sanchez delivered a pair of clutch, late-inning hits -- including the game-winning single with two outs in the ninth inning -- to help the Pirates upend the Atlanta Braves, 3-2, and pick up their fourth consecutive victory. "

"Left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, whose last start was skipped because of a sore lower back, will pitch today against the Atlanta Braves. Gorzelanny tweaked his back April 13 against the Cincinnati Reds and again April 30 against the New York Mets. He threw a bullpen session earlier this week and reported no pain."

"It took until the Pirates' 35th game for the bullpen to blow a save, but Freddy Sanchez bailed them out. Sanchez had a two-run single to bring a 2-1 lead in the seventh and, after Damaso Marte and Tyler Yates allowed Atlanta to tie, Sanchez came through again in the ninth with a two-out RBI single to bring a 3-2 victory against the Braves tonight before 21,050 at PNC Park."

"One of new outfielder Jason Michaels' traits that the Pirates seem to like quite a bit is his character. And they feel that way, team president Frank Coonelly said yesterday, despite an incident three years ago in which Michaels was arrested in Philadelphia for assaulting a police officer."

"The Pirates were bouncing in unison and pounding Freddy Sanchez on the helmet, moments after his two-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning sunk the Atlanta Braves, 3-2, last night at PNC Park. "A great moment," first baseman Adam LaRoche called it. No one on the home side would dispute that, certainly not since it brought a four-game winning streak."

"Giants Manager Bruce Bochy gave his players and staff a huge scare when he slipped on wet steps and hit his head on the ground while dodging a foul ball hit into the dugout Thursday. Bochy was OK, but he wasn't the only Giant feeling a little woozy after they concluded a frustrating six-game trip with a 5-4 rain-soaked loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. "

"First, there was a 1-6 start. Then came a burst of plucky play, some wins and optimism. Now, the Giants are in a third stage, in danger of falling into the kind of malaise expected of a team with too many too-young players and not enough pop. They flew home Thursday night after a 5-4 loss that completed a Pirates sweep and a trip through Pennsylvania that yielded one win in six games. Matt Cain blew a 4-2 lead in the seventh inning aided by Jack Taschner's first slip-up of 2008."

"The Pirates have given up trying to set a timetable for when Jack Wilson (calf) will return to the lineup. "We just want him to be healthy," manager John Russell said Thursday. "To pick a date on the calendar ... we're just getting ahead of ourselves." Wilson could be out until June."

"A one-run lead, a rain-slicked field and a hard smash down the third-base line. It was not the ideal combination for a game-saving defensive play, but Jose Bautista made it work just fine. Bautista's glovework quashed a San Francisco Giants rally Thursday afternoon and carried the Pirates to a 5-4 victory. "

"The Pirates yesterday added experience to their bench by acquiring Jason Michaels, a 32-year-old outfielder with a career .277 average and quality character, from the Cleveland Indians in a trade for cash and a player to be named. In turn, they optioned Nyjer Morgan to Class AAA Indianapolis, and it was that move, it appeared, that was the priority."

"Capps climbed right back on the mound yesterday afternoon, entrusted with a one-run lead, and pounded San Francisco's hitters with fastballs to finish off the Pirates' 5-4 victory, as well as a three-game sweep, while registering his eighth save in as many chances."

"No one mentions the inability to recognize that Luis Rivas could not play shortstop defensively, a decision that was reached based on little more than spring observation. For that matter, no one mentions that Chris Gomez was signed to a $1 million contract to be a primary backup infielder, and it was not until the spring that it was determined he lacked the range to play short. These, as it turned out because of Wilson's injury, have been costly errors -- quite literally -- in terms of wins and losses so far."

"Last night at PNC Park, Pirates manager John Russell walked to the mound to take the ball from Dumatrait, but history hardly repeated itself: Dumatrait had gone 5 2/3 scoreless innings, and he was turning over a two-run lead to the bullpen for what wound up a 3-1 edging of the San Francisco Giants. First big-league victory."

"Barry Zito returned to the Giants' rotation Wednesday, and for the first time in weeks he looked like he belonged there. Zito still became the first pitcher since the franchise moved to San Francisco to lose his first seven starts in a season. But the embattled left-hander appeared to begin putting the pieces back together with five strong innings in a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park."

""All of his pitches were crisper, he threw any pitch any time and he had the confidence to do it," manager Bruce Bochy said. "If he pitches like that, we'll get him some wins." But not Wednesday night. The Giants failed to score over the first eight innings against three members of the worst pitching staff in the majors and lost 3-1. They fell to 1-4 on a trip that could be truncated by rain today, and are six games under .500 for the first time this season."

"Manager John Russell tweaked the lineup again Wednesday, moving Jose Bautista into the No. 2 spot and batting Nate McLouth third. With Ryan Doumit getting the day off, Jason Bay hit cleanup. Freddy Sanchez led off for the second game in a row. "Is it the perfect lineup? I don't know," Russell said. "But you tinker with things sometimes, just to see what kind of balance you have." "

"San Francisco Giants third baseman Jose Castillo was pretty excited Tuesday night when he slammed a three-run homer into the center field seats at PNC Park. "I always liked hitting in this park," Castillo said. It didn't hurt, either, that Castillo went deep against the Pirates -- the team that forced him to languish on the bench last year, then unceremoniously dumped him in the offseason. "Um ... yeah, maybe," said Castillo, fighting to hold back a grin. "

"The Pirates did a lot with a little Wednesday night, and wound up with a cost-efficient 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Left-hander Phil Dumatrait, whose pitch count is limited as he makes the transition from long reliever to starter, worked 52/3 tidy innings. Dumatrait gave up three hits and a walk, struck out five and threw just 78 pitches. Dumatrait (1-1) notched his first major-league victory by outpitching Giants lefty Barry Zito (0-7). "

"A peculiar pattern I have noticed and have been meaning to share for some time . . . There have been more than a few instances in the young season when John Russell has made a decision that looked different than something I am used to seeing or looked outright questionable. Anytime that happens, I will make a quick note in hopes of remembering later to check on how it went. More often than not, even the most curious ones have not backfired. They have not necessarily paid off, either, but they have not backfired."

"Last night at PNC Park, Pirates manager John Russell walked to the mound to take the ball from Dumatrait, but history hardly repeated itself: Dumatrait had gone 5 2/3 scoreless innings, and he was turning over a three-run lead to the bullpen for what wound up a 3-1 edging of the San Francisco Giants. First big-league victory."

"It probably will be close to the end of May before Jack Wilson is back. The Pirates' shortstop, out since April 3 because of a strained left calf, yesterday was moved to a less aggressive timeline, one in which he will need two to three weeks before his return. The most recent tentative plan had him beginning a minor-league rehabilitation stint this weekend. Two reasons: Wilson has yet to regain full defensive mobility as part of his workouts in Bradenton, Fla., and remains confined to being a designated hitter in extended spring training after a setback Friday."

"Once Jonathan Sanchez got his first start of April out of the way, the Giants left-hander had an increasingly encouraging month. Maybe May will play out in similar fashion. Sanchez's four-week run of solid starts ended in a hurry on Tuesday night when he allowed seven runs over 4 1/3 innings in a 12-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park."

"Every Giants game of late has seemed like a mortal struggle, with each of the previous five decided by one run. And now for something completely different, how about the Giants falling behind by 11 runs in the seventh inning and losing 12-6 to the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates? "We just let this game get out of hand," manager Bruce Bochy said. "That's not our game.""

"Freddy Sanchez batted leadoff for the first time this season Tuesday, and Nate McLouth was in the No. 2 spot. Manager John Russell hopes the switch will force Sanchez, who began last night's game batting .222, to be more selective at the plate."

"Zach Duke waited nearly a year to pick up a victory. When he finally got it, there was not much suspense. Duke cruised to an easy decision Tuesday night, as the Pirates hammered the San Francisco Giants, 12-6. It was Duke's first win this season -- his first in 12 outings since June 12, 2007. "Better late than never," Duke said. "

"Barry Zito's stint in the San Francisco bullpen wasn't very productive -- he didn't get into a game --but it also won't last long. The left-hander, 0-6 with a 7.53 earned run average, will start against the Pirates tonight. "We thought he'd get work out of the bullpen, but it wasn't happening," Giant manager Bruce Bochy said. Zito hasn't pitched since April 27 when he allowed 7 hits, 3 walks and 8 runs in 3 innings against Cincinnati."

"The lineup change manager John Russell made for the game last night changed Freddy Sanchez's fortunes a bit, but did absolutely nothing different for Nate McLouth. Which was a good thing. McLouth, batting second rather than his customary first, had three more hits, including two more home runs, and drove in three more runs to help Zach Duke and the Pirates beat San Francisco, 12-6, in front of 12,030 at PNC Park."

"With the prospect of going 12-20 and putting themselves on a pace to lose 101 games, the Pirates did not flinch last night at PNC Park. They battered the San Francisco Giants something awful -- 14 hits and three home runs -- on their way to a 12-6 win. With this victory, the Pirates are on pace to lose only 96 times this season."

"Giants third baseman Jose Castillo's homecoming won't be anything like Aaron Rowand's emotional return to Philadelphia last weekend. Castillo spent four seasons in Pittsburgh - twice as long as Rowand's tenure with the Phillies - and he was well-received by Pirates fans. But there almost certainly won't be any standing ovations or handmade signs at PNC Park today. Just more head-scratching about what went wrong. "I'm not sure what to expect from the fans," Castillo said. "I had a lot of good times. I thought I played good. I just want to play normal, because if I do that, I'll be OK.""

"Player to watch: Jose Castillo makes his return to Pittsburgh, but he's showing the Giants that he's no better in the Pacific time zone than in the East. He's only hitting .239 this season, but is 4 for 10 (.400) in with three RBI his past three games."

"All things being equal, it could be a lot worse for outfielder Nyjer Morgan. And he knows it. "I'm the odd-man out, but I'm going to be myself and I'm definitely going to stay fresh," Morgan said. "But I'm just trying to stay upbeat. I know I'm coming in a few at-bats and striking out, but this is new to me and I just have to roll with it and do whatever I can to help this team in any possible way." "

"Seventy-five years ago, a young Josh Gibson was launching home runs across Bedford Avenue from Ammon Field in the Hill District. Today, his great-grandson will break ground on a major renovation of the field, since renamed for the Negro Leagues Hall of Famer. At 1:30 p.m. today, Sean Gibson, president of the Josh Gibson Foundation, will be joined by representatives of the City of Pittsburgh, Major League Baseball, Pittsburgh Pirates, Grable Foundation, Del Monte Foods and others involved in the year-long, $300,000 project."

"Remember those fat, orange bats from childhood? Nate McLouth had one at age 4 and, as his parents recall, was blessed with the coordination to whack his father's overhand offerings onto the roof of their single-story home in Whitehall, Mich. But that was not the part Rick McLouth found most impressive. "Nate would take pitches," the elder McLouth said. "Honestly, if he didn't like what I threw, he wouldn't even budge.""