RECAP - Cardinals - 7 / Pirates - 2

Justin Morneau Will Get His Chance to Be an Impact
Player for the Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates - 2
St. Louis Cardinals - 7

WP - Kelly
LP - Johnson

Remember all those good feelings that Pirates fans felt?  Those care free games of pounding the Cardinals into submission?  Yeah, those were the days.  The roller coaster ride that is watching the Pittsburgh Pirates continues on, this time to the tune of a 7-2 butt whoopin' at the hands of the St. Louis Cardinals.  As fans of the Pirates, its the roller coaster ride that can be frustrating...the ups and the downs, the big wins and the devastating losses, but ultimately Pirates fans need to realize that this roller coaster ride is the best thing going in the city of Pittsburgh.  Not to mention the only roller coaster of this kind that has graced the Steel City in 20 years.

This game got out of control early as pitcher Kris Johnson got roughed up early and often.  Johnson gave up 7 hits and 5 runs (all earned) in 2 innings of work.  That gave way to Jean Mar Gomez, Justin Wilson, Brian Morris, Tony Watson, and Kyle Farnsworth.  To say this start taxed the bullpen is an understatement.  This would be one of those days where I question what the Pirates are truly thinking in regards to their philosophy on the field.  With Jeff Locke in AA Altoona for a few more days, the question arises to who would get the start in Locke's absence?  I for one thought that Cumpton would get his usual call up for a spot start, but whomever you or Clint Hurdle use in this situation doesn't answer the question of who will be the starter in the rotation for the long haul.  Personally, listening to Clint Hurdle's interviews makes you think that he will be sticking by Jeff Locke and will be giving him another start when his turn rolls around in the rotation again.  However, what would happen if the start off doesn't improve Locke at all?  What if he goes out and lays an egg?  I think you'd be crazy to suggest anyone but Jean Mar Gomez to return to the starting rotation as he pitched another scoreless 3 innings yesterday, that is, if Clint Hurdle can somehow re-stretch out his arm again so he can return to the rotation.  Down the stretch the Pirates can ill afford to have a gaping hole in their rotation and expect to contend for the division.

As for the offense, the Pirates as an organization have done all that one can ask in terms of bolstering a struggling roster and bench.  Acquisitions of Marlon Byrd, John Buck, and most recently acquired Justin Morneau have all given the Pirates more than ample depth as well as power in their lineup.  The only issue is now that "pop" has to actually pull through.  Marlon Byrd has not disappointed, and neither has Buck as a backup catcher...and Morneau will have his chance to be a difference maker soon enough.  Besides the newest Bucs on the ship, the rest of the lineup only accounted for 2 hits (Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker) against the Cardinals.  The word pathetic does come to mind.  The Pirates offense is screaming for more consistency, and Clint Hurdle pinch hitting with Travis Snider is NOT the answer, in my opinion.  Starling Marte's return will only bolster a lineup that truly needs that strong LF presence that Jose "Kissy Neck" Tabata just doesn't have.  These acquisitions make the bench depth a million times better than what they were before the trades were made.  This team has the look of a true contender now, but will they be able to play like a contender...that's the question.