Another loss (16-35)

The Pirates were offensively awful again tonight. Karstens was normal for him: solid four or five innings, struggle in the sixth. He allowed one run in five innings, and the Pirates were ahead two to one going into the sixth. Karstens had two outs and a runner on second and first when a bloop basehit to Milledge should have ended the inning. Milledge's throw beat the runner by a mile, but was off line on the first base side. Still it was handled by our new catcher, but he seemed to not realize how far away from the plate he was. He took one step and looked as if he was about to try and block the plate, the only problem was the plate was another two steps away. Still the runner was just starting his slide a diving attempt at a tag was not in time and the Pirates had given up the lead. Sean Gallagher came into hold them but he could not. He gave up all of Karsten's inherited runners and one of his own, which made Karsten's final line look bad as well as effectively putting the game out of reach. Add in two more runs allowed by Daniel McCutchen and one more on an ugly hanging curve ball by Chan Ho Park and the Pirates lose big.

If one were looking for good news it has to be Pedro Alvarez. He was zero for one with three walks.

Not much action in the minors as most of the games were rained out or suspended. Indy lost. Altoona lost in extra innings, but Rudy Owens was brillant with five scoreless and a demoted Daniel Moskos pitched a perfect inning too. D'Arnaud had one hit, a triple, and stole two bases (one of which was third base). Jordy Mercer had a two for four day, and Lambo went hitless. Bradenton won, but was out hit. The team only managed four hits total, three of which came from catcher James Skelton. Thus, Bradenton won one to nothing thanks to the great pitching of Matt McSwain.

All eyes however are on the the draft deadline, which will be the news tomorrow. All reports seem to be that Tallion may have already signed, or that he clearly will sign. A few less, but still the reports say, Stetson Allie will also sign. The question is now about the other prospects. How many will Pittsburgh pull in.