Pirates embarassed in LA

The Pirates won game one, but then dropped the next three. Charlie Morton lost, but did not get destroyed. Duke lost, and Karstens lost today. Karstens gave up six runs in five innings, but was not as bad as it could have been, and was inches away from a better result. A third inning run scored when it just was fair down the first base line. Milledge was close to a diving snag that would have saved other runs, but missing it, let it get past him. Still Karstens took the loss. The offense was almost all Garret Jones, which is the lone positive to take out of this. He hit two doubles today, getting RBIs both times. If Jones's bat is back, adn Doumit continues to be hot as he was all week, then the Pirates can have an offense against the Cubs that ought to score. The Dodgers pitching is much better than the Cubs.

In better news in the Minor Leagues Altoona beat Stephen Strassborg. Jordy Mercer went 1 for 2 and gathered another RBI. Mercer is having an excellent year.

Also Michael Crotta, who was called up to Triple A not long ago, pitched great, got a win, and only gave up three runs in seven innings. Only two of those runs were earned. Jose Tabata raised his average to .330. This kid cannot get to the majors fast enough. There is currently a place for him to start everyday. I hope the Pirates are trying to market either Church or Milledge. Tabata is too good to sit.