Ten in a row . . . ugh

This losing streak is just gut wrenching. We went from losing games to the Phillies, including one where we had a two run lead in the 8th, to losing to the Cubs, but mostly in close game fashion. We blew a two run lead in the 8th in that one too, and lost a one nothing game. Then the Padres came into town and our first game with them we open up a two run lead, give it up only to grab the lead back in the next inning four to three, only to give it up so that Doumit could hit a solo blast to go back up five to four. Only to give it up with a grand slam. We never recovered from that. We gave up double digits the next night too, and then tonight we were never close, but managed to keep them to seven runs. We lost seven to three thanks to a late inning three run shot by Brandon Wood.

The two good things on this losing streak have been Pedro Alvarez is raising his average and Brandon Wood is hitting long balls. Usually pointless long balls, but he still hits them. Wood ought to be the starting Short Stop. Cedano was benched yesterday for his lousy play. Not the first time this year. That is the real problem with Cedano. He gives up. He has shown this year he can play some defense, but he has occasional mental lapses. He will break the wrong way on a ground ball every now and then. But, worse than that. He quits. Whether it is not hustling down the line on a weak ground ball, having horrible at-bats because the game is out of reach, or double pumping on throws the first base allowing runs to score it is usually because Cedano has given up. You can see it. He just turns it off and goes on cruise control. There is no urgency to throw the ball because the game is over. Why bother getting an out and stopping another run. Why bother trying to turn that double play? It is awful. Wood has some power and the Pirates are desperate for power. And most importantly Wood does not give up. I hope by September never to see Ronny on the field again.