The Heat Is On

It's not bad enough that the starting pitching has by and large reeked - now the bullpen has to join in.

They managed to waste a pretty good offensive effort against Dan Haren and Arizona, led by Freddie Sanchez' & Dirtdog Mientkiewicz' three hits at the top of the order, in losing 13-7. The new Bucs still take it to the limit, we're glad to see. They scored twice in the ninth and ended the game with the bases juiced.

Five extra base hits, ten walks, botched bunt plays, wild pitches; Yoslan Herrera, Jason Davis, Denny Bautista, Tyler Yates, and John Grabow broke out the repertoire. Herrera started the Pirates off by giving up three runs in 1-1/3 innings after being handed a three run lead before he even took the hill.

And you wonder why they traded for five pitchers?

On the trade front: A final word on Pittsburgh's deals from MLB.com's Matthew Leach:

Perhaps the tide is turning in Pittsburgh. In past years, the Bucs showed a distressing unwillingness to shed their veteran assets at the Deadline. The new regime, however, had no compunction. The Pirates got a high-ceiling player and some useful bodies in their trade with the Yankees, and then brought in four very interesting players in Thursday's blockbuster. Pirates fans are undeniably tired of waiting on rebuilding efforts, but this one looks like it actually has some steam.

On the minor league front: LHP Gorzo (2.01 ERA) went six innings for Indy tonight, giving up three unearned runs on six hits while whiffing 4. He left with the lead, but RHP JVB (3.84 ERA) trotted out of the bullpen and gave up two runs - both unearned, too - on 4 hits with 2 walks and 2 K's in two innings of work.

3B Neil Walker (.235) went 3-5 with a double, triple, and 3 RBI. 2B Luis Cruz (.292) had two hits and a run scored.

> Altoona lost 12-3, and only had 3 hits.

> Lynchburg lost its 11th in a row, 13-7. C Kris Watts (.333) went 3-3 with two walks, 2 runs scored, and an RBI. 3B Danny Bomback (.350) had two hits and an RBI, but left seven runners stranded. CF Alex Presley (.257) had a hit and 3 RBI.

> Hickory won a wild one, 8-7, scoring twice in the bottom of the 9th for the victory. 1B Erik Huber (.275) was 2-5 with a double, homer, RBI and two runs scored. CF Austin McCune (.210) went 2-3 with a homer, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored.

DH Albert Laboy (.265) had two hits a double, walk, RBI and tally. LF Joe Munoz (.304) had 2 hits and 3 RBI, and C Ronald Pena (.253) had 2 hits and a run scored.

> State College lost *sigh* 8-5. RF David Rubenstein (.182) went 3-4 with a double, 2 runs scored and RBI. DH Calvin Anderson (.254) had two hits and an RBI, and SS Andy Vasquez (.247) was 2-4 with a run scored and RBI.

> Bradenton lost 3-2. LHP Tyler Cox (2.30 ERA) went four scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out 4. CF Edward Garcia (.190) went 2-3 with a triple, walk, and RBI. Ronny Paulino (.300) and Jose Tabata (.400) both went 1-3.