Resilient Pirates Continue to Win In Comeback Fashion

The Pittsburgh Pirates are at times a tough team to watch/listen to at times, but they are also a team that you can't seem to take your eyes off of.  You never know when they will have a huge inning and get right back into a ball game.  With that said, the Pirates continued their streak of making just enough plays to win.  As usual, the "Bucco Bombers" showed up again as Alex Presley and Neil Walker both went "yard" again, but there was hardly any production from the rest of the team until Rob Barajas sent a single into left field to score the eventual game-winning run.  It was business as usual for the Pirates recently.  They jumped out on top, and eventually gave up a big play to the opponent and had to scratch their way back to win the ball game.  It was exciting to see Wandy Rodriguez in a Pirates uniform, but he was not overwhelming in his Pirate debut.  He struggled to find the zone, and lacked the strikeout pitch that we are so often used to seeing from Wandy in an Astros jersey.  I have a good feeling that he will become more comfortable with the pitching staff and his battery mates and will be solid down the stretch.  With the win it extends their streak to 4 games as they head into the last game of the 4 game set in Houston on Sunday afternoon.  The Pirates are now 58-42 as they attempt to sweep the Astros in a 4 game set for the second time this season.

One of the many reasons this team is tough to watch is the simple fact that they might be one of the worst "small ball" teams I've ever watched.  Bunting is a lost art with this team, and simple base running mistakes abound time and time again.  Watching superstar Andrew McCutchen getting caught guessing while attempting to steal 2nd has happened twice in the last 2 weeks.  Rookie Starling Marte not waiting until McCutchen gets into a run down before trying to score from third, and last night Garrett Jones trying to advance to third base on a base hit to left field and being thrown out at third for the third out of the inning.  The Jones mistake was one that really ticked me off because growing up as a student of the game coaches always said "Cardinal Rule - You don't want the first or third out at third base".  I couldn't believe it!  It would be an exception in my mind if the hit was to right field and you are forcing a good throw from the long part of the field, but the play was directly in front of him in left field.  Its these mistakes that not only end innings, but end scoring opportunities.  The Pirates don't hit very well with RISP, but they will need to start playing it smarter on the base paths and winning games by playing "small ball".  I fear the day that the long ball even fades with this team and how they will score runs. 

I complain alot, I know, but I try to tell myself just to enjoy the winning ways while they are here and while they last.  Its also time that the Pirates get a glimpse of the criticism that comes from being a successful team in the Steel City...just ask the Pens and Steelers what thats like.  LETS GO BUCS!