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Pittsburgh Pirates
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. | Ballpark: PNC Park (38,496) | Spring Training: Bradenton, Fla.
Principal Owner: Bob Nutting | CEO: Frank Coonelly | GM: Neal Huntington | Manager: John Russell | World Championships: 5
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Pirates report: Inside pitch
 

The Sports Xchange
 
 
Inside pitch · Notes, quotes · Roster
 

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When Ian Snell is right, his fastball routinely sits in the 92-94 mph range and tops out at 96 mph.

However, the right-hander has struggled to get his heater past 90 mph this season, and he is 2-2 with a 5.05 ERA after nine starts.

"I stink, plain and simple," Snell said Friday, a day after his shortest outing of the season -- six runs in four innings of a no-decision at St. Louis. "I have one good start then one bad start. There's no consistency. I don't have a feel for anything right now. It's a real struggle. I don't feel comfortable."

Manager John Russell has enough confidence in Snell that he made him the Opening Day starter this season. While Snell was 9-12 last season, he had a fine 3.76 ERA.

"I'm not worried about him because he's a fierce competitor and he wants to do well," Russell said. "He is just having a real hard time finding a groove. He'll find it, though, and once he does he'll be fine."

CUBS 7, PIRATES 4: Left-hander Tom Gorzelanny was tagged for four home runs as the Pirates fell to 0-7 against the Cubs this season. Alfonso Soriano hit homers in each of the first two innings as the Cubs built a 6-0 lead against Gorzelanny (3-4), who gave up seven runs and seven hits in six innings with two walks and three strikeouts.

Jason Bay and Doug Mientkiewicz homered in the eighth inning for the Pirates, who have lost 10 straight games to the Cubs dating to last season. That is the Pirates' longest losing streak against the Cubs since dropping 10 in a row during the 1890-91 seasons.

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.

 
 

Pittsburgh Pirates Message Board
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 9, 2007

May 17, 2008 3:57 pm
The game no one thought we could win this series.......we win!!  against the Cubs Ace, then one of the best reliever in the game no less.

Boy, Capps sure made it interesting.  The thing I like about him is that he doesn't care who is up, he's going right at em'  .  And how about Nate?!!!
...(more)
Reputation:90
Level:All-Star
Since:Jan 17, 2008

May 17, 2008 12:31 pm
"The New York Times reports that Mets GM Omar Minaya and Pirates GM Neal Huntington declined to comment on the possibility of a trade involving Mets' RF Rya ...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 4, 2006

May 9, 2008 7:46 am

The sweep over the Giants has given us all a lift and reason to look forward to better things to come.  However, a look at the team stats would reveal just how badly this team has played and how fortunate they are to be only 4 games under .500.  

There are 30 Teams in the Major Leagues - the ...(more)

Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 3, 2006

May 15, 2008 6:29 pm

Pirates are 0-6 this season against the Cubs. Hopefully it will come to a halt over the week end  series. Now being 19-20  they have a chance to make to 500 if they take 2 out of 3. The Bucs are starting to look like a decent team now and have been worth watching latel ...(more)

Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 20, 2006

May 16, 2008 3:44 pm
Currently 6-0. I'm getting pretty tired of losing to the God damn Cubs. It's ridiculous that anyone be 0-7 against any one team.
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Mar 11, 2008

May 14, 2008 2:58 pm

The Pirates put Ryan Doumit on the 15 day DL today and recalled Raul Chavez.  They are not sure how long he will be out.  Chavez is a great defensive catcher but his bat is a different ...(more)

Reputation:90
Level:All-Star
Since:Jan 17, 2008

May 13, 2008 3:19 pm
Upcoming series with St. Louis at STL.
What are your thoughts?

Quick prediction from me.
Seeing that the Pirates are terrible away(6-12) and against the division(4-7) i would be happy to see one game taken away from here.  Although 3 of the wins were against Cinci, 1 was against STL. The pitching is pitchi
...(more)
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 18, 2007

May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
A winning attitude in the clubhouse. Usually it's just guys go through the motions uninspired, but now guys in the clubhouse feel good about the way they are playing and have a great attitude. I think geting Doug Mientkiewicz had alot to do with it. He's been a veteran leader in the clubhouse aswell as being pretty reliable ...(more)
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 18, 2007

May 7, 2008 3:41 pm

I'm not sure meek should have been sent down just yet. He hadn't given up a run in 3 straight starts after a rough start. They drafted him in the rule 5 draft for a reason and said he is in their future plans. I think they cut him too quickly, but thats just me.

Reputation:87
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 21, 2006

May 14, 2008 5:30 pm

After watching LaRoche's futile attempt at stopping that ball that was hit by Ankiel late in the game last night, I have come to the conclusion that he is killing the Pirates not only with his bat but with his glove as well......That ball that was hit to him was 3 feet to his right and he couldnt even get a glove on it!!....... ...(more)

Reputation:86
Level:All-Star
Since:Mar 18, 2008

May 14, 2008 1:06 pm
Is it me, or do you think it was a curious decision to have Nate McClouth sacrifice bunt in the 10th inning of the game on Tuesday night?  There was a runner on 1st with no outs, and McClouth sacrificed himself to get the runner to 2nd.  While I am all for small ball, Nate McClouth is hitting over .300 with a .600 slugging pct.  This time it worked out, but to me John Russell needs ...(more)
Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 17, 2006

May 13, 2008 1:56 pm
Trade him while his value is at its peak.  The current team is not going to win so they can stockpile some prospects if the trade is even.  With Mclouth, Mccutcheon, and Bay they have three outfielders.  Mccutcheon is tearing up in the minors and needs to be called up soon.  They need a third basemen badly because I don't think ...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 20, 2006

May 13, 2008 1:51 am
Van Benschoten was sent back down to AAA and his replacement is to be named tomorrow. Assuming the Pirates are going to stick with Dumatrait as a Starter for the time being I would venture to guess they will bring up another arm for middle to long relief and my money is on either ...