Pirates Beat Braves on National T.V. Recap and thoughts

The powerhouse, aka the mothership, otherwise known as ESPN, allowed the Pittsburgh Pirates to play baseball on their channel for the first time in a very long time Monday night. As expcected, a lot of Pirate's fans were excited and for good reasons.

It's nice that the Pirates can get recognized nationally, even though I despise ESPN for many reasons. The night didn't get off to a great start as there was a two hour rain delay, that featured thunderstorms.Oh and the fact that all of the Pittsburgh region didn't even get to experience the Pirates on ESPN, because of a blackout rule. Whammy.

The Pirates faced a very good Atlanta Braves team, in Atlanta, in the first of a four game series. The Pirates managed to showcase how good and resilient of a team they are by winning a tough 3-1 game.





Game notes: 
James McDonald was good again. Although he can be inconsistent, McDonald pitched 5.1/3 innings, earning 9 strikeouts, 0 walks, and 0 runs. He threw some very impressive pitches and didn't get ratttled very easily. McDonald is now 7-5 on the year and has an E.R.A. of 1.52 over his last five starts. #winning

McDonald did load the bases in the sixth, with two outs, and Clint Hurdle took him out of the game. McDonald did not seem very happy about this. Daniel McCutchen came in and got the Pirates out of a jam to end the inning.


Pedro Alvarez was in the lineup for the Pirates, after being called up today. The Pirates called Alvarez up because Alex Presely was placed on the 15-day D.L. Alvarez had been hitting extremley well in AAA.


Pedro looked good, both at the plate and physically. He showed much better discipline at the plate, earning a walk, and was 1-3 on the night. Alvarez did start his night off on the wrong foot, earning a E-5 in the bottom of the first.

Lyle Overbay sucks. He just sucks. In the last 10 games Overbay has had 34 at bats and has collected a robust 6 hits. Yes ladies and gentlemen 6 hits. Not only that but after he did manage to get on base tonight, he showed some awful baserunning by getting thrown at out third, when the ball was grounded out to the shortstop.


Overbay didn't even help defensivley. The only time he touched the ball Monday night was on a play, in which McKenry dropped a strike three ball and threw it to first. The Pirates could have put a mailbox at first place and still got the same production.


At what point will they get this bum off the field? Play Steve Pearce at first. Play Ryan Doumit at first when he comes back. Play anybody else! He's a bum!

Speaking of McKenry, the dude is a ball-player. Showed his toughness tonight and I think the Pirates should definitely keep him around, even if it's as a backup.


Lastly, there are rumors going around that the Pirates are interested in Tampa Bay Ray's outfielder B.J. Upton. I'm personally tired of rumors. Go get somebody. The Pirates are in first place and it's July. The fans have suffered for 18 years, the time to win is now. Upton has talent, pedigree,and World Series experience. No other Pirate has that. Go get him.


Raise the Jolly Roger bitches