RECAP - Pirates - 5 / Rangers - 4

All Smiles as the Pirates Take the Series in Texas

Pittsburgh Pirates - 5
Texas Rangers - 4

WP - "Frank the Tank" Liriano
LP - Perez
S - Melancon (13)

The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to have me shaking my head.  This time it isn't because of their poor play.  No, its because this team is so sporadic that it almost become comical and entertaining.  The Pirates lay down 3 duds in St. Louis, then come back in Texas with 2 really hard fought wins.  The first, and the most impressive in my opinion, was a dominating pitching performance, and last night's win should have been alot more comfortable than it turned out to be.  The Pirates bats have been better...not good...but better.  Last night recording 12 hits and scoring 5 runs.  Jordy Mercer (4 hits), Andrew McCutchen (3 hits), and "Flaby" Gaby Sanchez (2 hits) all recorded multi hit games.  Andrew McCutchen continues his NL MVP bid as he goes 3-5 with 3 RBIs and boosts his batting average to a whopping .326.  I plan on having more on "Cutch's" MVP bid later, but to say he is deserving is putting it mildly. 

McCutchen's breakout party cast a shadow over a very good start by Francisco Liriano.  I was extremely impressed for one reason...it wasn't his best stuff and he didn't implode.  Liriano's stat line was rather mediocre: 6 innings pitched, 6 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts.  Nothing mind blowing on that stat line, but the Pirates proved that he doesn't have to be "lights out" every time he steps foot on the mound, but simply good enough to keep the Buccos in the game.  Liriano's 16th win was the most by a lefty in the Pirates organization since 1991 when John Smiley and Zane Smith (remember those guys?!) to record 16 wins.  There will be a chance for Frankie to get more wins as the Pirates are about to return to PNC Park for a lengthy, and final, homestand of the regular season. 

Before wrapping this up, I feel it appropriate to say that the Pirates, or should I say Mark Melancon,  almost blew a 4 run lead in the bottom of the 9th.  Melancon is starting to show some kinks in the armour as a closer.  He has allowed too many base runners the past few games, and has shown that he has struggled getting that final out.  I realize that I am probably over reacting to a tough stretch for the Pirates' closer, but the question is begging to be asked.  When Jason Grilli becomes healthy enough to close, do you put Melancon back as the set up man, or swith the closing roles around?  Good questions to ask if the Pirates are in "save" situations.