RECAP - Pirates - 5 / Brewers - 2

Neil Walker is Heating Up...

Pittsburgh Pirates - 5
Milwaukee Brewers - 2

WP - Charlie Morton
LP - Thornburg
S - Melancon (10)

The Pittsburgh Pirates roll on defeating the Brew Crew 5-2 yesterday on Labor Day, and to be quite honest, this team looks a whole lot different than it did even one month ago.  Not only from a player personnel stand point, but also because of the way they are playing.  The Pirates don't possess that "flash in the pan" look anymore...no, they have that "we are contenders" look (I can't type that without thinking about Coach Lou Brown in Major League saying "We are contenders now" in his deadpan style during the American Express commercial).  The Pirates are getting contributions from some unlikely sources, but their depth is something this team hasn't had in years.  Charlie Morton was magnificent on the mound again, going 7 strong innings allowing 2 runs (1 earned), fanning 6 batters, and only walking 2.  Morton has gone into the 7th in his last 3 starts, all being gems.  Don't look now, but Charlie Morton is solidifying himself as the #3 starter in this rotation, and it couldn't happen at a better time.  Now its time for Gerrit Cole to follow the suit that Liriano, Burnett, and Morton have set for the rest of the rotation. 

Talking about playing stepping up, has anyone else noticed that Neil Walker is playing some pretty good baseball??  The man is hitting the snot out of the ball, going 2-5 last night with 3 RBIs all courtesy of a 3 run smash that essentially ended the Brewers chances yesterday.  Walker's BA has climbed to .263, not that that is anything to celebrate, but its world's better than where it was.  Walker finally is starting to look healthy and comfortable at the plate.  With Walker hitting in the 2 slot, Alvarez always a threat at clean up, and Marlon Byrd awaiting in the 5 spot...pitchers can't just pitch around the Pirates best hitter, Andrew McCutchen, anymore.  McCutchen struggled against the Cardinals, but has bounced back nicely as he went 2-4 yesterday bolstering his BA to .319.  Those aren't the story lines that grab by eye though.  No, how about "Tabata and Barmes Beat the Brewers".  I'm not joking, and its too early to be drunk.  Clint Barmes finished the day yesterday 2-4 with 2 runs scored, and Jose "Kissy Neck" Tabata finished 3-4 with 2 RBIs (driving in Barmes both times).  Tabata's BA is now .280, and don't think for a second that Clint Hurdle isn't telling Starling Marte that he can take his time returning making sure he is 100% healthy.  Tabata has done the job that is for sure, and the Pirates bats have had more good days than bad as of late...and that is a hell of a sign for a team contending down the stretch.  The Pirates recorded 11 hits yesterday, and 4 players had multi hit games against the Brewers pitching staff. 

This is the performance that we, the fans, expect from the Buccos against sub-par competition like the Brewers.  There is no reason for a team that is nearly mathematically eliminated from the playoff race to even hang around with the Pirates in any stretch.  Everyone remember when the Pirates just COULDN'T beat the Brewers?  That seems like a thing of the past now.  Remember when the Cardinals coming to PNC Park for a 3 game stretch almost always meant at least 2 losses?  Ladies and Gentlemen, its time to re-evaluate this 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates team, and most importantly, get ready for a post season run.  "The Streak" will end soon (hopefully as they sweep the Brewers) and that is nothing more than a stepping stone to the post season for this team.  This victory moves the Pirates record to 80-57 (the first time the Pirates have recorded 80 victories since '92) and gives the team a 1 game lead over the Cardinals in the NL Central race.  Let the good times roll, and go Bucs!