9/8 Happenings: HBD Gerrit, Buck & Frank, Williams 27 Game Streak, Clarke Quits, Cutch On The Cover & A-Ram Debuts @ 1B

• 1899 - Pittsburgh's 3B Jimmy Williams‚ who earlier set a MLB rookie record by hitting in 26 consecutive games‚ ran his club record string to 27 games before he was stopped by Deacon Phillippe of Louisville‚ who had also ended his earlier streak, as Louisville won 5-3. Deacon joined the Pirates a year later, much to William’s relief. Kenny Lofton (2003) and Danny O'Connell (1953) also strung together 26 game streaks for the Pirates. His rookie mark lasted until 1987, when it was bested by Benito Santiago.

Jimmy Williams 1900 (team photo)

• 1907 - 1B Walter “Buck” Leonard was born in Rocky Mount, NC. He played 15 years for the Homestead Grays (1934-48), batting ahead of Josh Gibson, and the pair were often likened to Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. The Grays won nine consecutive Negro National League pennants (1937-1945) with Leonard and Gibson ("the Thunder Twins") in the middle of the order. Leonard finished his Grays’ career with a .320 BA and was selected to the HoF. In 1994, when the All-Star Game was held in Pittsburgh, the then 88-year-old Leonard was named an Honorary Captain.
• 1912 - Long-time Pirate coach and minor league manager Frank Oceak was born in Pocahontas, Virginia. He was with the organization from 1942-1972 for all but one season, managing in the minors everywhere from Class D Oil City to AAA Columbus. Oceak also served for 10 seasons as Danny Murtaugh’s coach and finished his career on Bill Virdon’s staff, with 1960 (he’s the coach wearing #44 who’s running down the third base line with Maz) and 1971 World Series teams parts of his resume.
• 1915 - Fred Clarke resigned as manager after leading the club to four pennants in 19 years, citing a desire for more family time (and probably nudged along by back-to-back losing seasons). He wanted to step down after the 1909 World Series campaign, but was talked out of it by owner Barney Dreyfuss. Jimmy Callahan replaced him in 1916.

Fred Clarke (artwork by Sanjay Ferma)

• 1990 - RHP Gerrit Cole was born in Newport Beach, California. The UCLA grad was selected by the Pirates with the first overall selection in the 2011 MLB Draft and signed to an $8M bonus minutes before the deadline. He made his debut in the show on June 11th, 2013, going 6-⅓ IP to beat the Giants 8-2 and now is the top gun in the Bucco rotation.
• 2014 - Andrew McCutchen was the cover boy on Sports Illustrated for the second time in his career. He was featured in Albert Chen’s article “Andrew McCutchen Goes Deep.” It was almost a year to the day after his first SI cover shot on September 9th, 2013.
• 2015 - In the first game of a doubleheader against the Reds, Aramis Ramirez made his first career start at the first base. Before that, A-Ram had played 18 seasons and 2,096 games at third base and no other spot other than DH or pinch hitter. He lasted six innings, going 3-for-3 in chances fielded and appeared at first base four more times during the campaign.

9/8 Games: Jose & Cobra Slams, Roberto w/Triple Triples, Sweeps & Swatfest Blues...

• 1905 - As written by the Pittsburg Press “(Cincinnati pitcher) Charlie Chech was touched up for fifteen safeties, including six two baggers, and allowed eight bases on balls, but still the Pirates could get but three little runs out of all that swatfest” as Pittsburgh lost 8-3 to the Reds at Exposition Park. The Bucs stranded a NL record 18 men in the loss.
• 1908 - Howie Camnitz tossed a five hitter with seven whiffs and made two first inning runs driven in by Honus Wagner stand as the Pirates swept a four game set from the St. Louis Cards 2-0 at Exposition Park.

Howie Camnitz 1909 (photo Bain News Service/Library of Congress)

• 1937 - The Pirates swept Cincinnati at Forbes Field. Pittsburgh had to score three times in the tenth inning to pull out a 7-6 win in the opener on a Tommy Padden walk-off single. The hit was an act of atonement for Padden; he threw away a bunt in the top half to allow the Reds two runs. Woody Jensen had four hits to lead Pittsburgh. The Bucs took the nightcap easily by an 8-2 count. Jensen had two more knocks to support Jack Tobin’s four-hitter.
• 1940 - The Pirates brought their sticks to Sportsman’s Park, taking a doubleheader from the Cardinals by 16-14 and 5-4 tallies. Pittsburgh banged two homers (Maurice Van Robays & Debs Garms), and triple and seven doubles (two by Frankie Gustine) to overcome Johnny Mize’s three homers to take the opener. The Pirates scored five in the shortened five inning nitecap, tallying three times in the last frame for the win. Bob Elliott and Arky Vaughan went 4-for-6 in tandem, with a double, two triples and all five RBI, driving in Garms, who went 3-for-3 with two doubles, three times before darkness ended the game.
• 1958 - Roberto Clemente tied a modern day record held by many with three triples against Cincinnati at Forbes Field, leading the Pirates to a 4-1 win. He was stranded after the first three-bagger, thrown out at home trying for an inside-the-park HR after the second, and finally scored after the third when Dick Stuart singled him home. Curt Raydon got the win, his last in MLB, and banged out his only major league hit in 49 plate appearances. Arm troubles kept him out of the majors after a solid 8-4/3.62 debut and after treading water in the minors for three seasons, he hung ‘em up after the 1961 campaign.

Curt Raydon 1959 Topps

• 1969 - The Bucs fell behind 2-0 in the first against Montreal at Jarry Park, and it stayed that way for most of the chilly night. The Pirates warmed up just in time, plating an unearned run in the eighth and scoring five times in the ninth to rally past the Expos 6-4. A single, intentional walk and and two errors tied the game for Pittsburgh and loaded the bases for rookie utilityman Jose Martinez, who entered the game as a pinch runner and stayed to play short. He banged his first (and only) big league homer into the left field seats to give Chuck Hartenstein the win, with Bruce Dal Canton picking up the save. Gene Alley stretched his hitting streak to 21 games; it would reach 22 before the Cards ended his run.
• 1974 - Dave Parker broke up a tight game with a an eighth inning grand slam off Tom Walker as the Bucs beat the Montreal Expos 8-2 at TRS. It was the Cobra’s only at-bat; he came in as a pinch hitter for Frank Taveras. Jim Rooker tossed a six hitter for the win. It marked the Pirates sixth straight victory and 25th win in the past 31 games.
• 2000 - Pittsburgh swept the Reds 7-3 and 3-1 to run their season-best winning streak to eight games at TRS (it ended the next day, beginning a nine-game losing streak). Todd Ritchie won the opener and Marc Wilkins, one of seven Pirate pitchers, took the nitecap victory. Alex Hernandez had three hits on the day, including a homer and triple.

Kang Homer, Watson Save Close Out 4-3 Win

Matt Carpenter kept on keepin' on against the Bucs, leading off with a single against Jameson Taillon, and another knock followed; a third brought in a run. A DP eased the pressure and a whiff finished the frame with the Cards up 1-0. J-Hay opened with a rap versus Mike Leake and Freeser bled one through the middle. Cutch K'ed, but Gregory came to rescue, singling to tie the contest when Josh's wide slide swipe eluded Yadi's tag. A wild pitch moved the Buccos to second and third, and JHK's grounder put Pittsburgh up. His out call at first was challenged by Clint, and the Bucs won a reversal. A walk juiced the sacks, but Fran's first pitch 1-2-3 DP doused the flames. The second opened with a HBP, stolen base and double to knot the score. JT got the next trio, but is at 48 pitches; three at-bats have gone seven pitches or more.

Jamo dodged the raindrops and left with the lead (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Leake dealt a 1-2-3 hand to the Bucs, then Jamo fanned the side on 12 pitches in the third.
Freeser started the Bucs off with a knock, and two outs later, JHK singled but nada came of it. A one-out infield squib broke Jamo's seven up, seven down string in the fourth. A bouncer up the middle and a walk jammed the sacks, but Leake was kind enough to swing into a 6-4-3 DP. Fran dumped an opening knock into center and Jordy followed with a rap. They were moved along by JT, setting up J-Hay's sac fly to retake the lead. Of all people, Matt Adams saved a second run by nicely pulling in Freeser's bid for a single to close the frame.

Jameson tossed a clean fifth, and at 95 pitches will call it day, holding it together on a night that he didn't have great command. Gregory doubled with an out; nice to see him stroking it again. That brought on young gun Alex Reyes, who was originally slated to start today. Reyes was Baseball America's #2 prospect and can pump his gas at 100. He was hitting 98, getting a grounder and fly to strand El Coffee.

Trevor Williams came up big in his MLB debut (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Trevor Williams made his MLB debut in the sixth, He coaxed a fly to right, and defensive replacement Adam Frazier (this is not a misprint) overran the ball, then dropped it for a two base error. A grounder moved the runner up and the Cards cashed in on a jam-shot past a drawn-in infield. A strike 'em out, throw 'em out closed the frame. Fraze doubled with two gone after Fran had popped a loud out to left to open the frame, but J-Hay became Reyes' second strikeout victim of the frame. A one-out knock in the seventh was followed by a two-gone walk before a pop shut the gate. Reyes fanned two more in a quiet Bucco half.

Yadi kicked off the eighth with a double. After a K, a grounder moved him up a station and another whiff kept him there; the two rookies are doing some dealing so far. JHK was seeing Reyes for the second time; this time he dropped a 1-2, down the alley 99 MPH heater 421' into the Redbird bullpen to put the Bucs up 4-3. Reyes whiffed a couple more to exit stage right. And yes, Tony Watson came out for the ninth (Neftali's hurt & Felipe flipped two frames last night, so it was a no brainer for Clint). He got two outs (one loud), then last night's nemesis, Matt Carpenter, came up. He went after the first pitch and lifted it to right, but this time into Fraze's mitt instead of a fan's lap; raise the Jolly One.

JHK watches the game winner drop into the St Louis bullpen (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

They're still alive; it's really a pity that they couldn't hang on last night to make it really interesting. But four back in the loss column keeps them in the Cards' rear view mirror with 25 games to go; the Bucs are streaky enough to become relevant. A couple of the hitters who went AWOL seem to be back on track; now if they focus on catching the baseballs they should, it could get intriguing. The next 15 games are against the Reds, Phils & Brewers, so it's sitting there for them in the short term. And they need to make hay during that stretch. The campaign closes with three matches against the Nats and a four game set with Chicago at PNC followed by a three-gamer at Busch.

• Jung Ho Kang has homered six times since August 13th in just 28 at-bats (33 PA). He led the attack with three hits. Gregory and Freeser had a pair of knocks and are hopefully breaking out of their doldrums.
• Watch this Root Sports vid of Trevor with his wife, kid and dad after the game. The dream is real.
• J-Hay has a seven game hitting streak.
• Tonight's paid attendance was 21,523. Lose a zillion in a row at home and...
• Trevor Williams was the 12th Indy player to make his MLB debut this season, the most since becoming the Pirates' AAA affiliate in 2005.
• The Bradenton Marauders 4-1 win over St. Lucie sent them to the Florida State League finals.
• Altoona's Barrett Barnes was named the Eastern League Player of the Month after hitting .360 with eight HR in August.

Wednesday: Jameson Taillon v Mike Leake, Lineup, Notes

Tonight: The finale starts at 7:05 and will be aired by ESPN's Wednesday Night Baseball, Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan. Roberto Clemente Jr, brothers Luis and Enrique and their mother, Vera, are in town as part of the Roberto Clemente Day festivities at the ball yard. It's a dark, wet and stormy afternoon, but supposed to be dry for the game.

Pitchers: Jameson Taillon (3-4, 3.25) closes the set against Mike Leake (9-9, 4.56). In seven of his last 10 appearances, JT has given up two or fewer runs and only once failed to register a quality start. This will be his first outing against the Redbirds. Leake is fresh off the 15-day DL, returning from a surely painful case of shingles/staph and bumping hot shot rookie Alex Reyes to the pen. He wasn't all that before the rash hit, posting a 5.71 ERA over his last seven starts, but the Cards like a veteran dealer down the stretch, and his xFIP is 3.73, so he's run into some bad bounces, too. Leake is 1-2, 5.71 v Pittsburgh this year, giving up 11 earned runs on 22 hits in 17-1/3 IP.

Jamo takes the hill tonight (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Lineup: Josh Harrison 2B, David Freese 1B, Cutch CF, Gregory Polonco LF, Jung Ho Kang 3B, Matt Joyce RF, Fran Cervelli C, Jordy SS, Jamo P. Why the slumping Freeser? Maybe because he has a .520 BA lifetime against Mike Leake. As for the rest, the outfield shuffle is because Starling has a grumpy back and the rest is the same ol'.

• Starling wasn't out for R&R reasons yesterday (our bad); he had back spasms. he's out tonight and is day-to-day. Neftali couldn't soft toss on consecutive afternoons, so his down time is TBD. And Elias Diaz is done for the year as he needed a medical procedure to counter his cellulitis, a bacterial leg infection. On the other hand, Fran is back after having a blood blister drained under his thumbnail yesterday.
• BTW, don't shed too many tears over the Mark Melancon trade. The only bad part was the timing; maybe if they moved him during the preseason, the back end of the bullpen would be configured by now. In all, the FO did get a decent-looking return, and while The Shark may have saved two wins since his deadline departure in games that Tony couldn't close out and the Bucs lost, most of the relief issues have been getting to the ninth, not finishing the game. But for sure, his departure and Watson's performance leaves a wide-open race for the closer spot going forward.
• Today is MLB's 15th annual Roberto Clemente Day, established to honor the legacy of the Pirates' outfielder. Clubs playing at home will recognize their local nominees as part of the ceremonies, and the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases and lineup cards while a video tribute to the Great One will be played in all the ballparks. His family joined with Mayor Bill Peduto and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald to celebrate; the politicos declared this "Roberto Clemente Day" in Pittsburgh & Allegheny County.

9/7 TRS/PNC Era: Littlefield Fired, Losing Record Set, Jeff's Immaculate Inning, Thompson's #30, 19 Hits, 7 Boots, Walk-Off, HBD Gorkys

• 1974 - The Pirates overcame a 4-0 deficit with a five run seventh against Montreal at TRS, with seven straight Bucs reaching base. The Expos came back to take the contest into extra innings against Dave Guisti, but Dave Parker’s 12th inning two out, walk-off single plated Richie Hebner for a 6-5 Bucco win. Ramon Hernandez worked the last two frames for the win.
• 1982 - Jason Thompson hit his 30th home run of the season off Mike Scott in a 9-5 win over the Mets‚ becoming just the eighth player in history to hit 30 home runs during a season in each league. (He hit 31 home runs for the Detroit Tigers in 1977.) Richie Hebner and Mike Easler also went long at TRS.

Jason Thompson 1982 Donruss

• 1987 - Closer Jeff Robinson tossed an immaculate inning, the first in Bucco history, when he K’ed Cubs Leon Durham, Andre Dawson and Rafael Palmeiro on nine pitches in the eighth. It was the first time since Bruce Sutter in 1977 that an immaculate inning was pitched. Of Robinson’s nine strikes, six were swinging, two called, and one fouled. He worked the ninth without any more punchouts to earn a save for Brian Fisher in a 3-2 win at Wrigley Field. It was his first save as a Pirate; he joined the team August 21st as part of the Rick Reuschel trade with the Giants. The Bucco runs came in on a Terry Harper homer, his first as a Pirate, and Bobby Bonilla’s eighth inning, two-out, two-run double.
• 1987 - OF Gorkys Hernandez was born in Giiria, Venezuela. He was blessed with good wheels and a great glove, but his bat limited him to a couple of cups of coffee in Pittsburgh in 2012 and 2015, playing for three other organizations in between.
• 2007 - GM Dave Littlefield was fired. Brian Graham, the director of player development for the Pirates, served as interim general manager until new Pirates GM Neal Huntington took over three weeks later.

Dave Littlefield (photo via MLB.com)

• 2009 - The Pittsburgh Pirates set a new North American standard for consecutive losing seasons by a major sports franchise with their 4-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs (Daniel McCutchen took the L), extending their sub-.500 record to 17 years in a row. The Pirates had shared the record of 16 consecutive losing seasons with the 1933-48 Philadelphia Phillies.
• 2012 - The Pirates committed seven errors, one less than the franchise mark set in 1939, in front of 32,699 dismayed fans at PNC Park and lost to the Cubs 12-2.
• 2014 - Pirate bats ran wild over the Cubs at Wrigley Field as the Bucs ran away with a 10-4 decision. Their 19 hits were the most in a game since 2012. Every starter, including the pitcher, had a hit; seven players had multiple hits. Jordy Mercer & Andrew McCutchen banged back-to-back homers while Neil Walker and Gerrit Cole also went long. Cole lasted six innings, plenty long enough to pick up the win. It gave the Pirates a three game sweep of Chi-Town, the first time Pittsburgh swept a series at Wrigley Field since 2000.

9/7 Expo Park/Forbes Field Era: Hot Hans, Rally Caps, On A Roll, Hearn Bookends & More...

• 1905 - In his home debut, rookie Lefty Leifield gave up three runs in the first, then settled into a groove until tiring and surrendering three more runs in the ninth frame as the Bucs rolled to an 11-7 win over the Reds at Exposition Park. Fred Clarke banged out four hits while Honus Wagner and Heinie Peitz added three apiece, with Hans swatting a double and triple.
• 1908 - Led by Honus Wagner’s 6-for-7 day at the plate, including five straight hits, a double, triple and sacrifice, the Pirates swept St. Louis 9-7 and 7-1 at Exposition Park to move within percentage points of the league leading NY Giants. Sam Leever won the opener while Vic Willis scattered eight singles to take the second match.
• 1925 - Pittsburgh won for the 17th time in 20 games when they defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-5 at Forbes Field in the opener of a twin bill. Kiki Cuyler went 4-for-5 with a double and triple while every Pirate in the lineup had a hit. Red Oldham gave up 15 hits, but went the distance for the win. The Cubs banged out 16 more hits in the second game to gain a 9-8 split.

Red Oldham (photo Conlon Collection/Getty)

• 1940 - The Bucs scored eight runs in the eighth and three more in the ninth to rally past the Cardinals 14-9. Arky Vaughan‚ Terry Moore‚ and Vince DiMaggio all homered as Vaughan and DiMaggio combined for seven RBI at Sportsman’s Park.
• 1942 - In the opener of a twinbill at Forbes Field, the Pirates scored 11 runs in the sixth inning to set a modern club mark and overcome a 5-0 deficit against the Cards to rally for an 11-6 win. They didn't have an inning that big again until 1992. Bud Stewart led the attack with two hits, three RBI and a pair of runs. Murry Dickson faced two batters and didn’t get an out, but was credited with the win; the guy that relieved him, Howie Pollet, gave up four runs in ⅓ of an inning so Dickson was deemed more effective. The Bucs dropped the nitecap 6-4.
• 1948 - The Pirates chased Jim Hearn after two innings on the way to a 6-2 win at Forbes Field. The game was noteworthy as it took Pittsburgh six more years and a dozen losses before they claimed another win against the St. Louis righty.
• 1953 - The Pirates swept a twin bill for the first time that year‚ beating the NY Giants 9-7 and 5-3 at the Polo Grounds. Eddie Pellagrini had four hits‚ including a HR‚ to back Bob Friend in the opener. Lefty LaPalme was the winner in the nitecap as the Bucs beat Jim Hearn after 12 straight defeats at his hands. His last loss to the Bucs was exactly six years ago to the day.

Eddie Pellagrini (photo via Out of the Park Development)

• 1962 - Bill Mazeroski hit a grand slam and drove home six runs to prime a 10-1 Bucco win against LA’s Stan Williams at Dodger Stadium. Earl Francis tossed a four hit, complete game victory against the league-leading Dodgers.

One Strike Shy: Watson Train Wreck In Ninth Derails Bucs 9-7

Ouch. Gregory Polanco misread, misplayed, and just flat-out missed Kolten Wong's opening fly to left; it fell for a triple. After a line out and a walk, a tapper to John Jaso loaded the sacks when instead of trying for two (Matt Adams was the batter), he decided to throw across the diamond to get a wandering Wong. He didn't, and Yadi went with the next pitch, a slider, lifting it the opposite way over the Clemente Wall for a grand salami to make it 4-0 Redbirds. Vogey escaped with just another single, but the Pirates defense, both mentally and physically, has been a dumpster fire at PNC Park. The Bucs went down 1-2-3 to Luke Weaver; so much for a quick response.

Weaver opened the second with an infield knock, but a whiff and DP saved any further scarring. Two liners and a fan job sat the Pirates down. With an out in the third, V-Song hung another slider and Adams deposited it into the Allegheny on a hop. Vogelsong coaxed two more outs around another knock. Jordy got the first Bucco hit when he rolled over on  change away but legged out a weak roller to third. Stew followed with another rap. With a small horde of starting pitchers in the pen, Clint still let Vogey hit; he fanned trying to bunt. J-Hay lined out, but JJ came through with a run-scoring single. Cutch won't take a walk - he's been ahead 3-0 and 3-1, but struck out swinging both times.

Jung Ho did his part with a pair of long flies (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

The Cards went down in order in the fourth (no, really!) JHK caught a change that hung up in the middle of the plate and sent it to the fans in left as a souvenir. After a Matt Joyce single, Jordy lined out (seems to be a theme during this home stand), then Stew got a knock. This time Vogey got the hook as Josh Bell grabbed a stick. A wild pitch moved the guys up 90', but a 3-2 change resulted in a tapper to the hill from Josh.

Juan Nicasio took over in the fifth and stranded a pair. Matt Bowman claimed the bump for the Cards. J-Hay opened with a squib knock. An out later, Cutch tapped back to the mound, and Bowman airmailed the ball into center. Gregory knocked a run home and JHK another. A boot by Brandon Moss loaded 'em. Bowman pounded Jordy inside; he turned on the third jam shot and doubled to put the Bucs up 6-5. Zach Duke answered the five-alarmer and walked Stew to jam 'em again, but the Pirates couldn't add on. Freeser pinch hit, went after the first pitch and bounced into a 4-6-3 DP.

Antonio Bastardo was next in line in the sixth. After two were gone, he gave up a walk and a knock, but no runs. Zachster was tapped for just a two-out Cutch rap. Felipe Rivero spun the ball in the seventh. Molina almost went yard again with two gone, blasting a middle-middle heater high off but not quite over the Clemente Wall. Fortunately, it's not horseshoes and he was left on the pond. Kevin Siegrist did the honors for St Louis. Joyce walked with one away and stayed rooted. Felipe got a second frame. Stephen Piscotty doubled with an out and again Felipe left the runner stranded. Mike Mayers tossed a clean frame, and the game was on Tony Watson's watch now.

Jordy's two bagger gave the Bucs a lead they held until two outs & two strikes into the 9th (photo Pgh Pirates)

With two outs, he was up 0-2 on Matt Carpenter. The second pitch was a fastball middle-middle, but Tony got away with the mistake when it was fouled off. The next delivery was fatter - an elevated heater over the heart of the dish that Carpenter pounded over the wall in right center to tie it. Then Yadi doubled, Randy Grichuk homered and Jhonny Peralta did the same. Jared Hughes had to come in to put it rest. Seung Hwan So gave up a solo shot to Jung Ho to make the final 9-7.

To come back from a 5-0 hole in a big match and then lose the game this way is about as soul smashing as it gets. Tony's in the spotlight, but there were plenty of contributors tonight - the first inning fielding shenanigans and the Vogey slider to Yadi, along w/Freeser's inning-killing DP all come to mind, tho Watson will have to wear this one. As Clint will surely say, they'll shower off and keep on playing. We'll see; tomorrow's game is must-win, and they'll have to do it w/o Naftali Feliz and maybe Felipe Rivero, who tossed a pair of frames tonight. Another loss and they may be days away from giving the pups an audition for next season, like in the bad ol' days.

• Tony Watson's three homers in the ninth are as many as he surrendered during the entire 2015 season in 77 appearance. His closer gig hasn't worked out so swell. He's been called on six times with a one run lead and blown three saves (his other seven have been with 2> run leads) since The Shark swam away. In 14 outings as the main man that have gone a full frame, he's only tossed three 1-2-3 innings.
• JHK had his third career two-homer game and collected three hits. The bottom of the order chipped in too, with Jordy and Stew banging out a pair of raps apiece.
• Gregory broke an 0-for-18 streak with his RBI knock. He hit several balls on the nose but was unable to find grass during his funk, but on the other side of the pillow, he also K'ed eight times during the string. 
• The Pirates lost their eighth straight, their longest downhill roll since 2011, and have dropped to 67-69 on the season. They're 5-1/2 behind the Cards (five in the loss column) with 26 games left.
• The Cards tied the NL record by banging a round-tripper for the 25th straight game. The Cards also set the pinch-hit homer record with 16 after tonight.
• It was Marauders 11, Mets 6 in the High A Florida State League opening playoff game. Bradenton can close out the series with a win tomorrow against St. Lucie and advance to the FSL Championship Series.

Tuesday: Ryan Vogelsong v Luke Weaver, Lineup (Shaken & Stirred), Notes (More Call-Ups)

Tonight: The game's first pitch is at 7:05 and the game will be carried by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan. It's pups in the park night and hopefully the Pirates pooches will have something to howl about; the Bucs need some bite tonight.

Pitchers: Ryan Vogelsong (3-4, 3.56) works the middle game against Luke Weaver (1-2, 3.86) in another matchup of an old warhorse and a frisky colt. Vogey hasn't gotten through the sixth in his last two outings and has walked seven in his last 10-1/3 IP. He's only faced the Cards once this year, and that was out of the bullpen. Weaver was the Cardinals' first-round pick in 2014 draft, putting up a 1.40 ERA in AAA, and was called up August 13th to replace Michael Wacha. The 23 year old is susceptible to the long ball, but has showed his stuff by averaging 11 K/nine. He's been workmanlike and gone six innings in his last two outings.

Vogey hopes to stop the bleeding tonight (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

Lineup: Josh Harrison 2B, John Jaso 1B, Cutch CF, Gregory Polanco LF, Jung Ho Kang 3B, Matt Joyce RF, Jordy SS, Stew C, Vogelsong P. Some more shake up - Fran's hurt, Starling is due for a R&R day, JHK and JJ are back in the saddle...mad scientist Clint is trying to create the Franken-lineup.

• Pittsburgh called up pitchers Tyler Glasnow, Drew Hutchison and Trevor Williams along with IF Pedro Florimon. The latter two weren't on the 40-man, so the Pirates DFA'ed pitchers Curtis Partch and Kelvin Marte. The new arms will be tossed into the pen for now, with possible starts coming as the season wears down and the IPs for Taillon and Kuhl pile up. Gift Ngoepe and Dovydas Neverauskas frittered away their MLB shot in Toledo; hope they enjoyed their beer 'n' brawl.
• Fran's thumb was wrapped after yesterday's game and he's being evaluated on a day-to-day basis; he bruised it blocking a ball. Elias Diaz is being treated for an infection. Here's hopin' Stew and Eric Fryer can avoid any schrapnel. 
• The news regarding Neftali Feliz is that he's playing catch, and after the game Clint said Chad Kuhl's issues deal with "fatigue," not injury. Dead arm, maybe?
• Jared Hughes is the Pirates' nominee for the 2016 Roberto Clemente Award as the player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team."
• Guess who pitched at the Chavez Ravine last night for the Dodgers? Chavez (Jesse) Ravin (Josh).

9/6 Happenings: HBD Tommy, Johnny, Vince & Pat; #8 Retired; Groat Hurt; Bad Day for Managers; Wilbur Debuts

• 1903 - IF Tommy Thevenow was born in Madison, Indiana. He played five years for the Pirates from 1931 until 1935, and came back to spend his last big league season, 1938, as a Bucco. Tommy batted .251 with 201 RBI for Pittsburgh as a good glove, so-so bat SS/3B.

Tommy Thevenow 1938 (photo Conlon Collection/The Sporting News)

• 1910 - RHP Johnny Lanning was born in Asheville, NC. He tossed for the Pirates from 1940 until 1943, went in the service and returned for the 1945-46 seasons, finishing with a Pittsburgh line 33-29/3.44. Lanning wasn’t a flame thrower; his best pitches were variations of the curve, one hard, the other soft.
• 1912 - In his major league debut, Wilbur Cooper shut out the St Louis Cardinals 8-0 at Robison Field. He gave up nine scattered hits with a walk and three K, the first of 216 wins for Cooper. Chief Wilson had three hits and scored twice to lead a balanced, 13 hit attack.
• 1912 - OF Vince DiMaggio was born in Martinez, California. He played center field for Pittsburgh from 1940-44 and hit .255 as a Bucco. He was named to the All-Star Game in 1943 and 1944, and in the 1944 game, he hit a home run, triple and single in three at-bats.

Vince DiMaggio 1941 Play Ball

• 1960 - All-Star SS Dick Groat broke his wrist after being hit by a Lew Burdette pitch. The Pirate captain‚ second in the batting race‚ was sidelined until the final weekend of the season. Dick “Ducky” Schofield‚ his replacement‚ had three hits as the Bucs rallied for a 5-3 win. Ducky, a reserve infielder with a career .227 BA, hit .333 for the Pirates in 1960 and kept them rolling toward the title without skipping a beat.
• 1968 - IF Pat Meares was born in Salina, Kansas. He played for the Bucs from 1999-2001, hitting .238, was injured from 2002-03, carried on the DL for the last two years of his contract and never played again.
• 1973 - The Pirates fired manager Bill Virdon after a 67-69 start and brought back Danny Murtaugh for his fourth stint behind the helm. The Irishman went 13-13, but won the division twice and was runner-up in the next three years, winning 272 games.

Bill Virdon circa 1970 (photo Teenie Harris)

• 1982 - Willie Stargell had his number 8 retired in front of 38‚052 fans at Three Rivers Stadium (he had announced his retirement, and it was part of the “Willie Stargell Day” sendoff) The 41-year-old slugger delivered a pinch single in the Pirates' 6-1 win over the Mets. Over his 21-year career with the Pirates, he hit .282 with 2,232 hits, 475 home runs and 1,540 RBI while his clubs won six NL East titles, two NL pennants and two World Series crowns. Pops was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988.
• 2005 - Lloyd McClendon was let go as manager after posting a 336-446 (.430) record over five seasons. He was replaced by bench coach Pete Mackanin on an interim basis for the rest of the season, with Jim Tracy taking the reins in 2006.

9/6 Games: Streaking Bucs, Bullpen Spins 14 Zeroes, Dock-tor's Gem, Tony Runs Wild & More...

• 1901 - The Pirates swept a DH from the NY Giants 15-2 and 13-4 to win their ninth and tenth straight games. The Bucs pounded out 22 hits in the opener, led by Ginger Beaumont’s 5-for-6 day, with a homer and 2B to grease the wheels for Sam Leever’s win. The Pirates rapped out 14 more hits in the nitecap, with Tommy Leach going 3-for-3 with a 2B. George Merritt got the win. It was the third straight twinbill they took from the Giants in three days, outscoring NY 80-23. The sweep was part of an 11 game winning streak as the Pirates rolled to the NL title.
• 1924 - Pittsburgh took two from the St. Louis Cards by 5-1 and 12-5 scores at Forbes Field behind the pitching of Emil Yde and Jeff Pfeffer. Kiki Cuyler provided the firepower with a homer and three RBI in the opener. Cuyler had another homer and three more runs batted in in the nitecap, Pie Traynor tripled and had three RBI, Rabbit Maranville homered with two runs batted in and Glen Wright drove in two more tallies and had a double. Max Carey scored once in the first game and three times in the second to touch home for his 15th straight game, a franchise record. He tallied 21 runs during the span, which began 8/23.

Emil Yde 1925 (photo Bain News Service/Library of Congress)

• 1935 - Brooklyn took its lumps at Forbes Field as the Pirates pounded out a 13-6 win, whacking 21 hits and scoring in every inning against the Dodgers. Woody Jensen led the parade with four hits; Tommy Thevenow, Arky Vaughan and Paul Waner each added three while Bud Hafey homered. Cy Blanton earned his 17th win.
• 1947 - The Pirates banged four home runs, the last from Wally Westlake in the bottom of the 10th inning, to take a 7-6 victory from the Chicago Cubs at Forbes Field. Joining him in the long ball parade were Billy Cox, Jimmy Bloodworth and Clyde Kluttz. Rip Sewell worked eight innings of one run, six hit relief to earn the win.
• 1948 - Lotta glove work going on as the Pirates swept a pair from the Cardinals‚ winning 2-1 and 4-1 at Forbes Field. The two teams struck out just twice in the doubleheader‚ a MLB record. They also turned 13 double plays‚ eight by Pittsburgh‚ to tie a ML mark for a twinbill. Pittsburgh turned a record tying six DPs in the opener, with 2B Danny Murtaugh in on five of them to equal the mark set by Detroit's Charley O'Leary. It wasn’t all roses for Murtaugh; his 23 game hitting streak ended when he went 0-for-2 with a walk in the opener.

Danny Murtaugh 1949 Bowman

• 1954 - After losing 10 straight games‚ the Pirates took both ends of a twin bill from the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on "Back the Dodgers Day‚" winning the opener 9-6 in 12 innings and the second match by a 9-7 score. It was the Bucs first doubleheader sweep of the Dodgers since 1950. Vern Law and Jake Thies were the winning hurlers.
• 1965 - The Pirates swept Cincinnati, 3-1 and 4-2, at Crosley Field to close within four games of first-place Los Angeles. Seventh-inning doubles decided both games: Gene Alley's in the opener, driving in Bill Mazeroski with the go-ahead run, and Willie Stargell's bases loaded, bases clearing two bagger in the nitecap. Roberto Clemente threw out Red runners in both ends of the double dip. Bob Veale went the distance to win the first game, striking out 12, and Al McBean tossed six innings in relief to take the second match.
• 1974 - Dock Ellis allowed one run on three hits while tossing a complete game in a 2-1 win against the Expos at TRS. Each team scored a run in the first inning before the Bucs scored the game-winner in the second when Ed Kirkpatrick led off the inning with a home run.

Dock Ellis 1974 Topps

• 1978 - The Pirates concluded a remarkable streak by winning their 21st game in 23 outings by a 4-1 score over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. It was their 11th straight victory, primed by Don Robinson’s five hit, nine K effort. The red hot finish wasn’t enough, though, as the club finished the season in second, 1-1/2 games behind the Phillies.
• 1997 - Tony Womack went 4-for-4, scored three runs, drove in another and tied the club record with four stolen bases in Pittsburgh’s 13-4 win at Cincinnati’s Cinergy Field. Womack went on to lead the NL with 60 stolen bases that season. Shawon Dunston and Freddy Garcia added homer for the Bucs. The club scored three runs in the eighth and added four in the ninth to turn a squeaker into a laugher for Francisco Cordova. The Freak Show Pirates moved to within 2-½ games of the division leading Astros with the win.
• 2014 - The Pirates got 14 shutout innings from seven different pitchers to take a 5-3 victory in 11 innings in the continuation of a suspended game and then a 5-0 win in the scheduled game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Tony Watson and Mark Melancon each worked a pair of innings in the suspended game, with Mark the Shark getting the win and rookie John Holdzkom picking up the save. The Bucs iced the game, suspended from the previous night at 3-3, on a Josh Harrison single and Tony Sanchez sac fly. The nightcap was largely the work of Francisco Liriano, who worked six shutout frames with nine K, allowing only one runner to reach second. Andrew McCutchen led a balanced attack with three hits and Jordy Mercer had a pair of knocks, including a homer and two RBI.