Bucs Win, Bucs Lose

OK, we're gonna wrap up two days in one post: Bucs win, Bucs lose, Bucs claim yet another catcher.

Ross Ohlendorf tried to throw his hat back in the ring for 2012's pitching parade by leading Pittsburgh to a 6-2 win over LA. Ohlie went seven innings, giving up two runs on four hits and striking out six for his first win since July of last season. He drove in half the runs, too, by belting a three-run homer over the right center wall. Before getting too carried away, though, remember that it's September - the Dodgers had five rookies in the lineup.

The other Buc RBI were from Brandon Wood, Dewey and Ryan Ludwick. So not only did the Bucs win, but they avoided a second straight loss to castoff Dana Eveland.

The day before, the Bucs and Charlie Morton lost to the Redbirds 3-2. It was a game that could have gone either way; both sides had beaucoup opportunity to score but squandered chances galore. Morton's downfall was a walk and hit batter to set up Yadier Molina's two-run double in the fourth.

Today, Pittsburgh continues its left coast trip, sending Jeff Locke against Hiroki Kuroda.

• The Pirates claimed Matt Pagnozzi, 28, off waivers yesterday from the Rockies. He's considered a strong defensive C, but is seen as a back-up rather than potential starter. Pags is a poor hitter - .220 lifetime in the minors - but does have an option remaining, which none of the other reserve catchers do, making him a potential insurance policy.
• We're also thinking that Pittsburgh might approach Dewey to work out a deal outside the current option agreement for the next season or two. The blush is off Mike McKenry's bloom, and the Bucs just added Pagnozzi to challenge Jason Jaramillo and Scooby Doo for a role next year, though none are thought of as everyday players. Eric Fryer and Tony Sanchez are both considered at least a year away. So it might make more sense to keep an in-house starter like Doumit than to go fishing in a not very strong FA market.
• Ohlie's dinger was the first home run hit by a Pittsburgh pitcher since Paul Maholm homered in New York on May 9th, 2009.
• Bradenton RHP Brett Lorin has been named a Jewish minor league all-star by the Jewish Baseball News. He was named as the runner-up for best starting pitcher. Lorin finished the year 7-6 with a 2.84 ERA, 99 strikeouts, and 19 walks.