I promised a blow-by-blow account against the Buccos, and though it's a week late, you can't deny that I delivered. Both of these teams are pretty sorry at the moment, but hey, I didn't have too much else to do on this particular Tuesday night, so my boredom is your entertainment...right?
First inning: I'm pretty sure that the total number of people at PNC Park is less than the regular attendance numbers in any of my classes last year. To be fair, it's a cool and rainy day in the Steel City, and who in their right mind wants to watch the Astros and Pirates slog it out anyway? Pittsburgh starter Brad Lincoln sets the side down in order, and so does his counterpart, the oft-maligned Brett Myers.
Second inning: The Big Useless starts off the frame with a single to right field. As he's standing on first, I notice our old friend Derrek Lee manning the bag. It's still real weird to see him not in a Cubs uniform. News to me, the aforementioned Lincoln attended Brazoswood high school and was the #4 overall pick by the Pirates after his senior year. Dude looks like he probably had a lot of tools, at least back then. Thanks to a terrible throw by Ryan Doumit, El Caballo swipes second. Bogusevic knocks the second single to right field of the inning, moving Lee to third. Young Jimmy Paredes hits a grounder to second that drives in Lee and forces out Bogusevic. No double play though, thanks to Paredes' nasty speed. Brownie and JD point out that the grounder was about as routine as you get to make a double play. I'm really starting to like Paredes, though if a player has speed, I almost always overvalue him. I thought Carl Crawford was the Michael Jordan of baseball. True story. Clint Barmes strikes out (and Ed Wade talks about re-signing him...ha!). Humberto Quintero slaps a double in the gap, easily scoring Paredes. Did I mention I liked speed? 2-0 Houston.
In the home half, Myers retires Lee on three pitches, which is comforting, as apparently Lee owns a .447 batting average against him. Neil Walker rips an infield single off of Carlos Lee's glove that I'm pretty sure Brett Wallace, or any decent defensive first baseman, would have caught. When Brad Mills and Wade realize that pitching and defense are the keys to winning, this franchise will be in good shape. In the meantime, they just don't seem to be able to recognize that. All's well though, as Myers leaves a hanger that Doumit doesn't swing at, and with Walker trying to steal, it's an easy gun-down for Quintero. Doumit handily destroys the next hanger. 2-1 Astros.
Third inning: After Jordan Schafer strikes out, Jose Altuve hits a broken-bat screamer that Lincoln somehow snags with his glove. I'm reminded why I never wanted to be a pitcher when I was a Little Leaguer. J.B. Shuck, who just hasn't been very good in his time with the club, quickly strikes out to end the away half. The wind and rain begin to pick up. Myers quickly strikes out Chase d'Arnaud and Lincoln. Alex Presley grounds out to Altuve to finish the 1-2-3 home frame. Just as rain favors the defense it football, so it does pitching in baseball. (I'm sorry, I just mentioned football...)
Fourth inning: Honestly, I think there's less than 50 people in the seats now. The rain is coming down hard, and folks, if this thing goes into a rain delay, I'm not sticking around. Let's hope it goes five innings and stays at the current score. It might just be the only way the 'Stros can get a win right now (I kid, I kid). Lincoln quickly sets down Lee and Bogusevic before giving up an infield single to Paredes. HOW 'BOUT THAT SPEED HUH? Barmes moves him to second with a single of his own, but Quintero grounds out to Pedro Alvarez to end the threat. Garrett Jones starts off the Pirates' fourth by ripping a double into the right field corner. Myers easily retires Andrew McCutchen, Lee, and Walker to end the inning.
Fifth inning: Since the cameras keep showing the surrounding area with all the rain, I'm beginning to notice why people in baseball keep saying that PNC is one of the prettiest parks in baseball. I agree, not necessarily because of the park, but because of the backdrop around it. The Allegheny River just behind the right field fence, the beautiful bridge and skyline; it all makes for a great baseball experience. I suppose I'm trying to find fun things to talk about as Lincoln sets down the Houston side in order. This game is turning into a pitcher's duel, something I've never really been fond of. Doumit grounds out to Barmes for the first out of the home half. I'm pretty sure Barmes makes the exact same play on defense every time, and you know what? Maybe re-signing him wouldn't be such a bad idea after all. Alvarez and d'Arnaud go down without a whimper.
Sixth inning: Brownie is discussing the possibility of lefty Dallas Keuchel being in the starting rotation in 2012. From what I've heard about the kid, I'm all for it. I've been thinking long and hard about who will be in the starting five next year, and I just don't see how it can be a respectable one if the same guys are throwing. Lincoln again puts down the Houston side 1-2-3, and it's becoming increasingly obvious that unless Myers stays perfect, the Astros won't win this game. Xavier Paul pinch-hits for Lincoln, who's final line looks nice, going six and giving up just five hits and two earned runs to go along with six strikeouts and no walks. Paul grounds out. So does Presley. Jones whiffs to end the inning. Myers has retired nine in a row. Still 2-1 Astros.
Seventh inning: Apparently every single game on the East coast is delayed except this one. Lucky us! Chris Resop is Clint Hurdle's chosen man to come on in relief. He's been having a nice season, but if memory serves me well, he hasn't done so well against the Houston nine. Paredes continues the good run by smacking a single into right. Barmes again moves him over with a single just under the glove of a diving d'Arnaud. Quintero hits an easy double play grounder to d'Arnaud (whose name I detest typing), but he boots it and only gets Barmes at second. Mills elects to let Myers execute a suicide squeeze, but he doesn't get the ball far enough out, and Resop makes a sweet flip to Doumit to get Paredes at the plate. No complaints here, as it was a Web Gem sorta play. Resop is pulled for lefty Tony Watson, who I didn't know existed. He easily strikes out Schafer though, chucking a couple fastballs down the middle to strand the runners. Myers is starting to look all 2010, retiring McCutchen and Lee, giving up a scorching single that Altuve probably should have gloved, and inducing a flyout by Doumit to end the inning.
Eighth inning: Chris Leroux is the next Pittsburgh reliever to enter the game. Hurdle has been riding him lately, as he's been on a serious hot streak. He proceeds to make Altuve look silly. If there's one young guy that worries me, it's him, as his propensity for strikeouts is a little frightening, especially considering the fact that management is determined to make him into a #2 hitter. Shuck (...is he really batting third?) grounds out to Walker. Lee flies out. Myers stays in for the eighth, and the home half starts off with a beautiful play by Altuve on a grounder by Alvarez that nearly ended up in center field. Myers gets a tapper out to the mound by Josh Harrison, but he throws it wide to first, allowing Harrison to reach second, and subsequently ending his night, going 7 2/3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER. Wesley Wright, who's had ten straight scoreless appearances since coming up from Oklahoma City, comes in to face the lefty Presley. After walking him on four pitches, Wright gets Jones to pop out to right to stifle the threat.
Ninth inning: Jose Veras comes in to work the (hopefully) last frame for the Buccos defense. He issues a leadoff walk to Bogusevic. Paredes cranks a ball out to center field which McCutchen of course gets to, but the ball mercifully bounces off the heel of his glove, letting Bogusevic get to third. Paredes has had a massive night, and boy, does the guy run fast. Hurdle pulls the Steel City infield onto the grass, but Barmes makes it easy by just getting himself out. Quintero gets redemption though, as he slaps a single to left, scoring the runners and lengthening the lead to 4-1. Hurdle disapproves, and brings in pitcher #6, Daniel Moskos. Matt Downs pinch-hits for Wright, and whiffs. Schafer walks, but Altuve grounds out to end the half. Mark Melancon comes in to close it out, and after retiring McCutchen, he gives up a line drive single to Lee. Walker hits a sharp single to first, which Carlos Lee knocks down and turns into an out. Again, I'm thinking Wallace would have been able to turn that into a double play. Remind me why he isn't starting? Melancon strikes out Doumit to put the game in the books. Final score: Astros 4, Pirates 1
What did we learn? Not much, except September baseball between two terrible teams can get pretty dreary. Just wait folks. Next season will be here soon enough. Goodnight P-Town.
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