Pitching Duel Part 2

Man, who woulda thunk it? Back to back pitching duels.

After Jeff Karsten's beauty, Paul Maholm went seven shutout innings, giving up five hits, three walks, and ringing up ten K's to start the Bucs off to a 2-0, twelve inning win over the suddenly impotent Phillies.

Sean Burnett, Denny Bautista, John Grabow, TJ Beam and Craig Hansen spun another five scoreless innings, giving up but one hit. Of course, the nine walks were kinda ugly, even if three of them were intentional, but three DP's helped ease the sting.

In the tenth, both sides left the bases loaded with two away. In the 12th, Ryan Doumit's double came around when Steve Pearce shot one up the line, and a Freddie Sanchez two-out infield single brought an insurance run home.

Hansen made it interesting when he walked two guys after an out. But Chase Utley lined one into left center and Brandon Moss made a sweet tumbling catch, and fired to Freddie Sanchez to nab the runner. It was too late at second base, but Sanchez easily doubled the runner off first, and the new look Pirates ground out another win.

On the Pirate front: LHP Phil Dumatrait is done for the season. His shoulder didn't respond to rehab, so they cut it to clean up the area around the left rotator cuff. It's labeled as minor surgery, and he's expected to to begin a throwing program in October and be ready for spring training.

Dumatrait, 27, was 3-4 with a 5.26 ERA in 21 games (11 starts) this season. He moved into the rotation in May but pitched just once after June 21 before shoulder soreness. His last start was July 7.

>Andy LaRoche's thumb was just bruised, and he's expected back in action soon, perhaps even tomorrow.

His big bro, Adam, took batting practice and hopes to get in some rehab games starting Monday.

> Matt Capps is going to Altoona to rehab on Tuesday, and is on schedule to be back in late August.

> Chris Duffy made it through waivers, and will report to Indy. So will Ronny Paulino, who just finished up a rehab stint in Bradenton. Frankie Osario made it through the wires, too, and is off to Indy. Jose Tabata also had a successful rehab in Bradenton and joined the Curve.

> OF Wesley Freeman, the 16th-round draft pick out of All Saints Academy High School in Florida, signed with the Bucs Thursday. He was reportedly (by Dejan Kovacevic) given a bonus way out of slot to get him to ink the deal, likely upwards of $200K, which is fifth round money.

On the minor league front: RHP Ross Ohlendorf (2-3, 4.29 ERA) was roughed up for three runs in six innings, giving up 11 hits and walking one as Indy lost 3-2. He struck out 5.

LF Nyjer Morgan (.284) hit his first home run and went 2-3. RF Matt Kata (.246) also had two hits, including his 8th homer. SS Luis Cruz (.263) added a pair of knocks. Ronny Paulino (.372) had an 0-fer as the DH.

> Altoona lost 6-2, as RHP Yoslan Herrera gave up 5 earned runs in 4 innings on 6 hits and a walk. he struck out 6. C Steve Lerud went 3-3 (.213) and Jose Tabata, in his first AA start for the Tribe, went 0-3 with a walk, stolen base, and run scored.

> Lynchburg dropped a pair, 8-4 and 10-4, tonight. RHP Brad Lincoln (1-3, 5.45 ERA) gave up three earned runs in 7 innings on nine hits. Out of arms (the pitchers are all on etched-in-stone pitch count limits), the Hillcats called on 3B Danny Bomback to pitch the ninth in the nightcap, and he was bombed for six runs. SS Brian Friday (.307) had five hits on the day.

> Hickory lost 4-2. SS Jordy Mercer (.215) was 2-4 with a double, his third homer, a run scored and 2 RBI.

> State College celebrated football season by winning 14-10. CF Arlon Quiroz (.260) went 3-5 with a double and triple, scored twice and had 3 RBI. LF D'Arby Myers (.246) had two hits, an RBI and tally. SS Troy Hanazawa (.279) was 2-4 with a double and walk and scored, and 3B Cody Overbeck (.257) had two hits.

> Bradenton won 5-2. LHP Tyler Cox (2-2, 1.98 ERA) went five innings, surrendering two hits and K'ing 5. 3B Jarek Cunningham (.321) went 2-3 with 2 RBI and a walk, and C Jesus Aguilara (.326) went 2-2 with a pair of walks and an RBI.