Gerry and Ed discuss the Atlanta game

Pirates 9 - Brewers 2, The losing streak ends with a big 7th inning

Pirates 1 - Brewers 8, Karstens pitches well but bullpen fails

One Bouncer

The game ended tonight with Garrett Jones crushing an Arthur Rhodes offering over the right field stands bouncing once and ending up in the river. It truly was an offering, because if Garrett Jones had placed that pitch on a tee, it would not have been located any better than where Rhodes put it. Garrett did the rest and knew immediately the result. What a great ending to one of those games that has been going to the other team the last few months.

The games that the Pirates were winning in the first half just haven't been going their way in the 2nd. But the Pirates seem to be taking their frustrations out on the Cards. They have taken the first 2 games of this series and look to sweep tomorrow. This against the team that is trying to keep pace with the Brewers.

Tonight the Pirates had what it took to overcome that late deficit and come out ahead at the end of the game. Jeff Karstens continued his storybook season pitching 5 1/3 innings, giving up 3 runs and keeping the Pirates in the game. Andrew McCutcheon continues to grow daily and become a dominant force in the National League. He cranked out his 17th homer to plate 3 runs.

Neil Walker has had a few chances in the last week to add to his RBIs and pull a few games out late, but has not been able to come through, until tonight that is. With the Pirates down by 1 in the bottom of the ninth Walker came through and delivered the clutch hit to tie up the game and send it to extra innings. Oh yeah, Brandon Wood may have saved the game in the ninth by knocking down a shot down the 3rd base line, staying with it and completing the play at first. It was impressive.



Then it was Garrett Jones turn to feed the fish in the 11th. It was a no doubter as soon as it came off his bat, and he knew it.

Nice night for the Bucs

As if beating the Cards at PNC wasn't enough, the Pirates made an encore performance and came to terms with their top two draft picks this year, Gerrit Cole and Josh Bell.

This is a definite bright spot in an otherwise bleak second half of the season. It is a continuing sign that Pirates ownership is willing to spend some money and lock down some talent for the Bucs.

It is always a tense situation getting down to the last days and hours of the signing period, but if you've paid attention in the past that's how it happens much of the time. So, it wasn't a shock that these 2 deals took so long.

It's good to add these two quality players to the team and it's good to have another top pitcher and possibly some offense in Bell.

Did anyone get the license plate number

I feel like I was watching the infamous JR Ewing dream episode.....for you older readers in the crowd. One day JR is alive and well, the next day he's shot, then none of it ever happened. I never would have dreamed I would ever mention Dallas in this blog, except for the Steelers beating up on the Dallas Cowboys. But, I just connected the 2 scenarios and there you go.

In the Pirates case they were on top of the world. Higher than they had been for 18 years. They were cruising along in a 3 or 4 team race for the lead in the NL Central. Even a couple days either alone at top or tied for first. The pitching was outstanding, a few young players were stepping up for the walking wounded. The Pirates for the first time in many years were looking to supplement the talent on the team to brace for the stretch run. All seemed well in the Pirate's world.

Then suddenly the gunshot rang out, it sounded a lot like a safe call from the mouth of Jerry Meals in the 19th inning of a marathon game and that happy place the Pirates had found this year disappeared. There were no answers. Those pitchers who had been dominant for much of the season suddenly could not hold their opponents from batting around. There were no stoppers among the starting 5, the bullpen became overwhelmed and overused, and the coaching staff searched for any solution possible. The Pirates went from 7 games over .500 to 6 games under in the blink of an eye.

Then, the alarm rang and JR woke up from his dream. The Pirates managed to escape PNC park and headed west. Anyone who witnessed that 10 game losing streak had to assume the Pirates pitching staff would not fare well against the defending World Champs. Fortunately the Giants strength is pitching and not offense. Their pitching didn't show up for 2 games of the 3 game series and the Pirates were able to return to their series winning ways.

Prior to the season noone would have expected the Pirates to perform the way they had before the recent 10 game skid. But the Pirates won time and again. The fans became spoiled expecting wins from this team and they produced. It was a great run and unless the Brewers experience the same fate as the Pirates, the race no longer includes the Pirates.

There is one thing Pirate fans can look forward to this season, and one thing the Pirates can play for. Another streak that has lasted far too long. These players should be aiming for the most wins they can get, but they should certainly focus on 82.