Come on! (26-53)

The Pirates were humiliated last night ending a string of hopeful games. Zack Duke did his best Charlie Morton for the second start in a row. Duke gave up one run in the first, and got out of trouble to keep it that way. He gave up two in the second, but was almost out of trouble (two outs bases loaded single), and then in the third gave up another. In the fourth, he was lifted after only one out. The Mets hung at least three on him in that inning. I stopped watching after that for a while. It should have only been a two run base hit, but Doumit dropped the ball in right while trying to throw. Another horrible example of Doumit in the field. The Pirates only hope of dumping him is in the American League where he can DH.

What was even more frustrating in a situation clearly calling for Brad Lincoln, JR instead chooses to go with five different pitchers. He should have pinch hit for Duke in the third, but failed to do so. If he had lifted Duke for Lincoln, the Pirates might have stayed in the game. Instead, it turned into a night to see the young guys. JR did the right thing and lifted Walker, Tabata, and McCutchen. Some other guys got a look. Cedano also gave way to Diaz, but Lincoln was no where to be found.

Instead, we got to Joe Martinez, who gave up a run in 1.1. We saw Stephen Jackson, who has no future on the team. Gallagher, who pitched a good inning. We saw Daniel McCutchen, who is looking good for a bullpen spot next year. We also got a look at the newest Pirates, recently claimed from the Marlins. He pitched a scoreless inning as well. But no where did we see Lincoln. I don't get it. Someone help me understand.