Well last night wasnt very good. Tonight will be different. Just win baby. Let's Go Bucs!

East Meets West: Part II

I love when the Pirates play @ the Phillies because really the entire series we are playing with house money. If we lose 2 of 3, well we weren't suppose to win a series against the best team in their yard anyways. Buy if we somehow win 2 of 3, the Pirates have not only won an important series but have also stuck to our in state rivals, a team that most would consider to be far superior in talent. I am not sure how the series will play out, but one thing I am sure of is that this young group of Pirates does not have the word quit in their vocabulary. They will play hard every game and make the Phillies earn everything they get. Let's just hope that for one more weekend, heart outweighs talent.

Tonight Charlie "Halladay Lite" Morton goes up against Roy "Doc" Hallway. Charlie obviously doesn't have nearly the stats or stuff that Halladay does but now their delivery and pitches are identical. Tonights game should be the most difficult of the three to win so I am not expecting to much. However, the Phillies lineup doesn't scare me all that much so if Charlie can locate his tinker and spot his fastball and curve then he should pitch well. With all that being said I think Morton will pitch well but the Pirates hitters will struggle against Halladay. Phillies win 4-2. As always though, let's go Bucs!

Just win baby. Let's go Bucs!

I AM P-IRATE...

I stayed up for all 19 innings.  I saw Jerry Meals call Julio Lugo safe at home plate BEFORE he even actually touched home plate.  I saw Clint Hurdle and Mike McHenry turn red while arguing the call.  I saw Lugo slump his shoulders because he knew he was out.  I watched the Braves telecast replay and heard their announcers shocked and astonished at the initial call.  I heard those same announcers speechless when they saw the replay.  What I didn't see was the umpires going into the clubhouse to review the call...that's because baseball doesn't have instant replay.  Now I am not saying instant replay should be used everywhere in games, the games are long enough as is.  But when runs are scored (plays at the plate, home runs, foul balls) an umpire with the "human element" just isn't good enough.  Here is a quote after the game from home plate umpire Jerry Meals, "I looked at the replays and it appeared he might have got him on the shin area. I'm guessing he might have got him."  Are you freakin' kidding me?  It APPEARED like he may have tagged him, I'm GUESSING he might have got him.  Umpires need to be defiant and sure of their calls and this guy surely isn't too sure of anything giving his performance in last nights game.  He was bad all over the place for and against both teams.  Last nights game was an epic show of grown men giving in their all for 6 1/2 hours, too bad Jerry Meals had to ruin it.

This type of loss is one that can either cause a team to rally and drive forward or stumble and fall down, hopefully these young Pirates can rally around each other and overcome this injustice (too much...?).

*Oh by the way, Meals will be umpiring 3rd base tonight, directly in front of the Pirates dugout, yeah that should go well...*

Pirates @ Braves: 7.26.11

Did not see that victory coming.  James McDonald was spectacular for 5 innings and then ran into some trouble in the 6th before being yanked for Chris Resop who promptly dominated and got out the the bases loaded jam.  The rest of the bullpen shut it down to give the Bucs a 3-1 win, allowing them to keep pace in the NL Central.  Tonight, Jeff Karstens (8-5, 2.28 ERA) goes against Tommy Hanson (11-5, 3.06).  Both pitchers have been fantastic as of late so I expect another low scoring game.  I also think Pedro Alvarez will square up a ball against Hanson and drive it somewhere either for a double or home run.  This game could go either way for me, but I think that Karstens pitches well but the Bucs fail to figure out Hanson.  Braves win 4-1.

Pirates @ Braves : 1992 NLCS Rematch

Today the Pirates travel to Atlanta and in doing so embark on a 7 game road trip against the cream of the crop in the National League.  The Pirates (52-47) look to remain relevant in the NL Central race and in order to do that must play exceptionally well over the next week.  Tonight, the Pirates send James McDonald (6-4, 4.15 ERA) to the mound against the Braves Tim Hudson (9-6, 3.39 ERA).  Tonight's game will also be the first since early July that the Braves will have their full compliment of starters at their disposal with the return of Chipper Jones.  McDonald has been sharp as of late and in eight starts since the beginning of June, he has gone 6-2 with a 3.22 ERA.  Tim Hudson has been equally good for the Braves over the past month going 3-0 with a 2.96 ERA in 4 July starts.  Look for Garrett Jones to get a start in right field tonight against Hudson as he is a career .500 hitter against the Braves starter in 6 AB's. 

*During the time that I was writing this post, Alex Presley was put on the 15-Day DL with a bruised thumb.  To take his place on the 25 man roster, ladies and gentleman from Vanderbilt, Pedro Alvarez...it's about damn time.*

For those of you watching the ESPN broadcast of the game tonight (since it is blacked out in Pittsburgh), let me know the amount of times ESPN shows clips from the 1992 Pirates season.  I say O/U 11.

I wish I could predict a Pirates win tonight, but I just don't feel great about it.  With that being said, it wouldn't surprise me if JMac pitches really well and the Pirates are in it in the late innings.  However, if they are down going into the 7th they are in big trouble with Venters, O'Flaherty and Kimbrel at the back end of that bullpen.  In the end, Braves win 3-2.  (Yes that is the same score as Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS, sue me.)

Pirates vs. Cardinals: 7.22.11 - 7.24.11

*Update* - The Mets just beat the Cardinals with a walk off homerun by Angel Pagan in the bottom of the 10th.  The Cardinals remain 1.5 games behind the Pirates.

Series: Pirates vs. Cardinals; PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

TV, radio: Root Sports, WPGB-FM (104.7).

Facts/Reaction: I am not going to say a whole lot about the Reds series.  The Pirates scored only 4 runs in 3 games, yet were able to win 2 of 3 games.  That is a testament to the remarkable job that the pitching staff (both starting and relief) has done throughout this year.  Today's game against the Reds was one of those days when the Pirates look like the team that won only 57 games all of last year.  But the past is the past and this weekend's series against the Red Birds is huge.  The series marks the 3rd time this season where the Pirates will play the "biggest" series in PNC Park history.  The previous two series (Phillies and Red Sox) equated to great crowds, great baseball and most importantly, series victories for the Pirates.

 

Pitching Probables:

Friday, July 22 - Paul Maholm (6-9, 3.06 ERA) vs. Chris Carpenter (5-7, 3.69 ERA)

Saturday, July 23 - Kevin Correia (11-7, 4.04 ERA) vs. Jaime Garcia (9-4, 3.11 ERA)

Sunday, July 24 - Charlie Morton (8-5, 3.62 ERA) vs. Kyle Loshe (8-7, 3.45 ERA)

Stats and Matchup: As I write this preview the Cardinals are tied with the Mets heading into the top of the 9th inning.  The Cardinals started the day 1.5 games behind the Pirates in the NL Central and even with a win would enter their weekend series with the Pirates at least .5 game behind the Buccos in the standings.  Both the Pirates and the Cardinals will send their best pitchers to the mound (except for Jeff Karstens who took a tough luck loss today against the Reds) in this series which could lead to a bunch of low scoring games.  Over the past few years the Cardinals have owned the Pirates and leading that charge is their game 1 starter Chris Carpenter.  Carpenter is 11-2 with a 2.09 ERA and 108 K's in his career against the Pirates.  Even though Carpenter has historically dominated the Bucs, he took the loss in a 3-1 Pirates victory back in early April.  Each game of the series features great pitching matchups but the matchup that I am most interested in is Game 2.  Of all the Pirates pitchers in the series, Correia has had the most success going 2-2 with a 2.79 ERA and 23 K's in his career.  Opposing Correia is Jaime Garcia who has made only 2 starts against the Pirates and owns an 0-1 record with a 0.96 ERA in those starts.  This is a game that I really think Correia exerts himself and gets back to his early season form, working both sides of the plate and mixing his pitches with great effectiveness.  As far as the hitters in the series go, I truly believe the stars of the series will be each team's best player.  Albert Pujols has killed the Pirates in his career, hitting .372 while belting 45 long balls and driving in 136 runs in 159 career games.  For the Pirates, my player to watch has to be Andrew McCutchen.  I know he has struggled as of late but he is starting to drive the ball more consistently and something tells me he is going to have a huge series in front of three huge home crowds.  McCutchen is a career .322 hitter against the Cardinals with 11 doubles and 17 runs scored in 24 career games.  He only has 1 career home run against the Cardinals so this weekend will be as good as any for him to add to that total.  Also, look for the return of Ronny Cedeno to the starting lineup as well as the possible return of Steve Pearce who may see some action at the hot corner.  However, it does not look like we will see "El Toro" Pedro Alvarez just yet, but I am hopeful that he will return sometime around the trade deadline.

Prediction: Pirates win 2 of 3.  I think they lose game 1 to Carpenter, there is just no way that they beat him twice in one year after losing something like 15 straight decisions before that.  With that being said, I wouldn't be surprised if they win Games 1 and 2 again and they go into their shell for Game 3.  Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if they only won Game 2.  I am sticking to my guns.  Pirates win 2 of 3.  Let's Go Bucs.

Programming Note: I will be in Deep Creek, MD for a "bachelor party weekend" so there will be very few if any updates over the weekend.  Hopefully I will get to see a few innings while enjoy a beverage at one of Maryland's fine drinking establishments.

Pirates vs. Reds: 7.20.11

The Pirates look to finish off a 3 game sweep against the Reds today as Jeff Karstens goes against Johnny Cueto.  Per STATS INC, the Pirates have scored 7 runs and hit .187 in 5 games at home in which they have tried to close out a 3 game sweep.  In those games they are 0-5.  Hopefully the Pirates stay hot and can raise the jolly roger.  Let's go Bucs!

1st place in the NL Central on July 20, 2011...are you kidding me?

Raise the jolly roger, the pirates are 7 games over .500, can you believe it...

Jmac is dealing, 7 k's thru 6 innings, now we need some insurance runs...1 isn't going to be enough.

Brandon wood has twice lollipoped a throw to first on a double play and both times the runner was safe, where is a real shortstop when you need one.

Brandon wood has twice lollipoped a throw to first on a double play and both times the runner was safe, where is a real shortstop when you need one.

Way to drive in a run by cutch but he really needs a hit tonight to break out of this horrid slump.

On Location: Pirates vs. Reds

I will be attending tonights game against the Reds with my brother. Hopefully I will have some in game posts on all things PNC Park during tonights contest. James McDonald is the only pirates pitcher to lose to the reds this year and tonight he looks for redemption. I say he gets it. Let's go bucs!

Pirates vs. Reds: 7.18.11

Stats/Matchup: After a successful albeit tumultuous weekend series against the Astros in which the Pirates were able to win 2 of 3 games, the Pirates return home to begin a stretch of games which will prove whether or not the Pirates are truly contenders for the NL Central division crown.  Over the next 13 games the Pirates will play home series against NL Central foes Cincinnati and St. Louis while going on the road to play series' against Atlanta and Philadelphia.  Those 4 teams are a combined 45 games above .500 and so far this season the Pirates are 9-5 in games against them.  Tonight, the Pirates begin a 3 game series at home against the Reds.  So far this season the Pirates are 5-1 against the Reds with all the games being played in Cincinnati.  Taking the hill for the Pirates will be Charlie Morton who is 2-0 with a 0.78 ERA and 2 complete games in 2 starts against Cincy this season, while Dontrelle Willis will throw tonight for the Reds.  Willis is making his 2nd start of the season after going 6 innings while giving up 2 ER in his season debut against the Brewers.  Willis is 2-5 with a 3.74 ERA in his career against the Pirates. 

What to look for: Willis throwing a ton of balls and walking batters, while Charlie gets back on track and throws more than 6 innings in a start since June 4.

Prediction: Buccos get to Willis and send him to the showers early, Pirates win 7-2.

The 2010 Pirates...?

Tonights game reminded me a lot of how the 2010 Pirates would lose ballgames. The Astros took the lead ok the bottom of the 8th on a walk, groundout, stolen base (McHenry not even attempting a throw), Pence being safe at home on another groundball (blown call by the ump), an error by Brandon Wood and then finally the first hit of the inning to put the Astros ahead for good. Veras is just brutal and has been since his last good outing against Boston. The buccos really should be looking at someone to bridge the gap between Resop in the 7th and the hammer in the 9th. A solid arm for the 8th inning would be huge in addition to the obvious addition of a power bat. In other news Walker had a big night and both presley and mccutchen were 0 for 5. Oh well, this one got away and so did a chance to go 6 games over .500 and remain in 1st place. If the Pirates want to stay in contention for the division crown they have to beat bad teams like the Astros, the good thing is that the rubber match of the series is tomorrow and we could really use a bounce back game in which we absolutely tattoo the Astros. Here's hoping that sentiment comes to fruition. Let's go Bucs!

Pirates @ Astros : 7.15.11

I have owed you, all 10 of my faithful readers, a first half recap and up until now I have not delivered and I am sorry to say that I am not going to be able to deliver before the beginning of tonight's game.  I know that technically the recap would mean less if it came after the 2nd half of the season started but you will all just have to get over it.  Now, on to a little preview of tonight's matchup against the Houston Astros.

Jeff Karstens (7-4, 2.55 ERA) vs. Brett Myers (3-9, 4.88 ERA)




The last time the Pirates faced Brett Myers, the touched him for 5 runs on 13 hits in 5.1 innings.  Myers had struggled since then as well, lasting on 4.1 innings against the Marlins in his last start giving up 6 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks while taking the loss.  Karstens last start happened to be against these same Houston Astros and in that start he went 7 innings while surrendering 1 run on 7 hits including 1 solo home run, the 17th he has allowed in 15 starts.

The last time Brett Myers faced the Pirates both Chase d'Arnaud and Alex Presley had huge games and I look for them both to contribute in tonight's contest.  I also think tonight is a good a time as any for Andrew McCutchen to begin his persuit of the NL MVP award (yeah, I said it).  The Pirates play well and continue their season long dominance of the Houston Astros behind another great outing from Jeff Karstens.  Buccos win 5-2.

This Day In Pirate History: July 12, 1997

This Day in Pirate History is a semi-annual piece that will focus on significant events in the history of your Pittsburgh Pirates baseball club.  Today's feature has as much to do with this blog and its title than any other player/event that has taken place in Pittsburgh baseball since 1992.  In the 5 preview years, the middle of July was a tumultuous time for the Pirates.  Most years they were already out of a division race and were relegated to the back pages of the sports section as Steeler's training camp was about to begin.  However, the summer of 1997 was different.  

The "Freak Show" Buccos as Greg Brown dubbed them after a late May comeback against the Expos, were 43-43 at the All-Star break with a team that was predicted to lose 130 games (that is what a 9 million dollar payroll does to a teams season outlook).  These young Buccos (sound familiar?) were coming off back to back losses to begin the 2nd half of the season dropping them 1 GB in the NL Central.  These young Bucs couldn't afford to be swept in their first series after the All-Star break and more importantly, didn't want to be swept by the division leading Houston Astros.  Charged with halting the skid, manager Gene Lamont sent 25 year old Francisco Cordova to the mound in what would prove to be one of the greatest games in Pittsburgh Pirate history.

The size of the crowd at Three Rivers Stadium that night would have made one believe that the Pirates had been a good team for years.  Not the case.  The crowd of 44,119, lured by a Jackie Robinson tribute and fireworks fireworks: see pyrotechnics.

---

fireworks

Explosives or combustibles used for display. Of ancient Chinese origin, fireworks evidently developed out of military rockets and explosive missiles and accompanied the spread of military explosives westward to
..... Click the link for more information. show, was the Pirates' first non-Opening Day sellout since June 5, 1977.  They had no idea of the magnitude of what they were about to witness.

Entering the game the Pirates had not only lost back to back games to the Astros, but had also managed to get shut out both times and from the way the game was playing out, it seemed like not scoring a single run in the entire series was a real possibility.  Throughout the first 9 innings of play that Pirates were only able to muster 5 hits, including 2 singles from starter Cordova.  They hadn't come close to scoring but the good thing was, neither had the Astros.  Throughout his 9 innings pitched Fransisco Cordova had allowed only 3 baserunners (2 by walk and 1 by HBP), while surrendering 0 hits and striking out 10.  After his final batter in the top of the 9th inning, Cordova had thrown 121 pitches, 75 for strikes and an amazing 11 for swinging strikes.  He would leave the game to a standing ovation after throwing 9 no hit innings, earning him a no decision.

The Pirates would muster little offense in the bottom of the 9th and Ricardo Rincon would enter the game in relief in the top of the 10th inning.  He would face 4 batters, walking one but would get through the half inning without giving up a hit, setting the stage for a possible combined extra innings no hitter.  In the bottom of the 10th the Astros brought on right-hander John Hudek to face Dale Sveum, Jason Kendall and Jose Guillen.  Sveum would strikeout swinging, while Kendall would walk and Guillen would fly out to centerfield.  With a runner on first and two outs, Turner Ward was brought in to pinch hit for Lou Collier.  Ward, famous for running through the outfield wall at Three River Stadium, would draw a five pitch walk moving a runner into scoring position.  Gene Lamont then brought in pinch hitter Mark Smith to face Hudek.  Smith a utility man who appeared in 71 games for the Pirates in 1997 had never faced Hudek in his career and was not known for his power.  However, on an 0-1 pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning, Smith created the most dramatic moment for the Pirates in the mid-90's when he launched Hudek's fastball into the left field bleachers.  Smith's home run capped the first and only combined extra innings no hitter in the history of baseball.  

Here is the only video I could find of the end of Cordova's no hitter and Mark Smith's pinch hit 3-run home run in the bottom of the 10th. 

What a game.  What a moment.  The Pirates would finish 79-83, 5 GB in the NL Central making the 1997 season the closest the Pirates have come to finishing above .500 in 19 years.  Hopefully, the 2011 Pirates can one up the "Freak Show" Buccos and make another improbable run at .500 and the division title.

Programming Note: Look for a Pre All-Star Break recap coming in the next day or two.

Pirates vs. Cubs : 7.7.11

Stats: The Pirates begin their final series before the All-Star break against NL Central rivals, the Chicago Cubs.  While the Pirates have been playing competitive baseball throughout the past month and a half, the Cubs have been doing anything but.  They have currently lost 5 of 6 and were swept in their last series by the Washington Nationals.  Overall, the Cubs are 35-53 and in 5th place in the NL Central, a whopping 10 1/2 games behind the Pirates in the division.

Probable Pitchers:

James McDonald (5-4, 4.40 ERA) vs. Rodrigo Lopez (1-2, 3.91 ERA)

Matchup: James McDonald takes the hill against the Cubs and looks to continue his string of extremely successful starts.  McDonald has not allowed more the 3 ER in a start since May 13 and in doing that has lowered his ERA from 6.20 to 4.40.  The Cubs Rodrigo Lopez has been equally as effective as McDonald in his past few starts.  In his most recent start, Lopez limited the White Sox to 2 hits and no runs over 7 innings.  In his only start against the PIrates, Lopez went 6 innings giving up 1 run while striking out 5.  Neither team has face the oppsing pitcher enough to get a good book on matchups but I would be willing to bet that McCutchen has a good game.  I know it seems like every preview that I write has McCutchen projected to do well, but that is what happens when he is the best player on the team.  To back up my prediction, McCutchen has reached base safetly in his past 18 games at PNC Park.  I am also feeling a prodigiously long Garrett Jones home run.  Maybe a shot that finds it's way out of the stadium.  For the Cubs, former Pirate Aramis Ramirez has been en fuego, batting .308 with 5 HR and 9 RBI in the past week.  Another player to watch for the Cubs is Carlos Pena.  There has been some chatter lately that Pena may be available at the trade deadline and could possibly be had for cash considerations since the Cubs would like nothing more to get out from under his 10 million dollar contract.  Pena is hitting a paltry .225 this year but has 19 HR and 48 RBI.  Honestly, if the Pirates can get him for some low level prospects or even cash he would be a significant upgrade at 1st base, allowing the Pirates to field a proper lineup with speed at the top (Tabata, Presley, McCutchen) and power in the middle (Walker, Pena, Alvarez).  Imagine a lineup that looks a little something like this...

RF Presley

LF Tabata

CF McCutchen

1B Pena

2B Walker

3B Alvarez

C Doumit

SS Cedeno

P Correia

Looks alot like a real lineup huh?

Prediction: Pirates win 7-2.  Let's Go Bucs!

Get Out the Brooms

The Pirates tonight will go for their second consecutive sweep against the Astros. They are currently on a 7 game winning streak against these Astros and look to finish above .500 at the all star break for the first time since 1992. Last nights game was a microcosm for the little things the Pirates haven't been able to do as a team over the past 18 years. Jeff Karstens threw another gem limiting the Astros to 1 run on 5 hits in 7 innings. Again I will state for the record that I have no idea how Karstens gets people out. Utter insanity. In addition to jeff karstens pitching out of his mind, the pirates also got timely hitting from role players. Before this year, if there was a game where the pirates "better" players struggled, that meant through pirates lost the game. last night journeyman brandon wood was the pirates offense, driving in 3 runs while going deep for the 4th time this season. The buccos keep defying all logic and baseball sense, let's hope it continues tonight. Tonight, charlie morton takes the hill for the pirates looking to put together another quality start. I think we see charlie and his electric stuff, tonight against the Astros. Look for Morton to record his best strikeout game of the season, all while leading the Pirates to a series sweep over the Astros. Let's go Bucs!

Pirates vs. Astros : 7.4.11

The Pirates are 44-41.  Read that again, the Pirates are 44-41.  Now this most likely will not last throughout the summer but for the time being and as long as the Pirates continue to win ballgames, you have to be loving it.  Today's game was really two seperate games.  In the first 2 1/2 innings the Pirates played about as bad as a baseball team can play.  They committed two errors on relatively routine plays and got thrown out at 2nd and home by Hunter Pence.  Entering the bottom of the 3rd they were down 3-1 and looked like a team that was ready to quit.  Then...they flipped the switch and scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 3rd on double's from d'Arnaud (2 for 5) and McCutchen (1 for 4) and a single from Lyle Overbay (2 for 4).  They then went on to add runs in the 5th and 6th innings and from there Veras and Hanrahan shut the door and the game was over.  A mention has to be given to both Alex Presley and Joel Hanrahan.  Presley was 3 for 4 today and is now hitting a robust .364 with an OPS of .970.  The Pirates are going to have some serious roster management to do when Jose Tabata comes back because there is no way that Presley can be sent back to Indianapolis, not when he is playing this well.  Hanrahan also notched his 25 save and is still perfect in save opportunities.  He will be representing the Buccos in Arizona at the All-Star game.  Speaking of All-Star game, Andrew McCutchen got hosed.  How he is not considered one of the 34 best players in the National League is beyond me.  Moreover, since he didn't get voted him or chosen by the players how is it possible that he is not one of the final 5 that the fans get to vote on during the next week.  McCutchen is hitting .294 with 12 HR, 46 RBI's, 15 steals and an .890 OPS.  On top of that his WAR (wins above replacement player, which is a measure of a laundry list of stats and is look at as one of the best gauges of a player's success) is 4.6.  That number is only matched by Jose Bautista (5.6) and Jose Reyes (4.6).  Both players will be starting next Tuesday in the All-Star game.  McCutchen is a rising star and should be an All-Star, at least I am not the only one who thinks him being left off the team is a crock of crap. 

Pirates @ Nationals : Doubleheader

Tough loss by the Pirates last night and even though the offense scored only one run, I think that we can put this loss on Clint Hurdle and his management of the bullpen.  Hurdle brought in Tim Wood (with Hanrahan and Veras ready to pitch) in the bottom of the 9th and he promptly let up a single, threw a wild pitch, walked a batter, let up a sacrifice fly and then threw a belt high fastball that Matt Stairs drove into right field for a walk off single.  I have no idea why Hurdle stuck with Wood after he clearly didn't have it and honestly he hasn't ever had it so it wouldn't surprise me if he is back in the minors soon.  Today the Pirates play a double header with James McDonald pitching Game 1 and Brad Lincoln, making his season debut, pitching the night cap.  Lincoln has thrown relatively well down in Indianapolis and deserves a shot to make a spot start.  Hopefully, he pitches well and makes the decision to send him down extremely difficult.  The first game is currently under way as I right this and at this point in the game, Alex Presley is 2 for 2 and Chase d'Arnaud has a stolen base.  I know I have said this before but I love the way these guys play.  Hopefully, the Buccos can find a way to win both of today's contests and push their record to 3 games over .500.  Let's Go Bucs!

Pirates @ Nationals : 7.1.11

The Pirates pitched well, got lucky and scored some runs and in the end beat Toronto 6-2 to win their first interleague series in an American League ballpark in 17 series.  Jeff Karstens had another great outing for the Bucs and as I pointed out in my previous post I still don't know how he gets so many people out.  His stat line yesterday: 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 K and 64 of his 88 pitches were strikes.  Throughout the month of June, Karstens has gone 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA in 6 starts.  For the season, Karstens has a 2.65 and a 1.08 WHIP which is an insanely low number.  Karstens just keeps on pitching well and hopefully some of his current success will rub off on Charlie Morton tonight.  Tonight, Morton is on the hill in his first start in 2 weeks after taking some time to rest his fatigued arm.  I think that Morton will have a big bounce back game tonight and pitch very well against ex-Pirate Tom Gorzelanny.  Another thing to look out for is whether not Neil Walker will play tonight after taking last night off with a sore back.  The Pirates and the Nationals have split their season series thus far and tonight is the night the Pirates get on top.  Morton pitches well, the rookies, Presley and d'Arnaud have good games and the bullpen "Hammers" it down.  Pirates win 6-3.  Let's Go Bucs!