In an effort to be upbeat and joyful on this beautiful sunny morning, I'm going to pretend last night's version of Bullpen Disasters didn't happen. It was a five-inning game and the only thing to talk about is Ross Detwiler.
Lots of strikes. Seemed composed. Give him the ball again on Saturday and see what happens (especially since I'll be there and would like to see him live). Makes too much sense, so I doubt it will happen. I fully expect to see Craig Stammen pitch.
I'm OK with that, too, so long as he throws a complete game.
Veering away from my opening sentence promise, I told my son - who becomes more and more glad every day that he was born a Braves fan - to watch Mock's first pitch and we could guess how that bullpen would fare. High and wide. Terrible pitch. A foreshadowing. "This is going to be ugly," I said.
Manny had some quote about a Double-A guy and a big-league bullpen. Where, pray tell, is that big-league bullpen? Does Pittsburgh have one? It certainly isn't the collection in the right-field cage. I'd much rather have seen the Double-A guy a little longer.
The bullpen has become a raging joke. Not sure what changes can be made at this point. I don't know the below-majors personnel well enough. But some changes have to be made. Again. When Ron Villone is the only guy you can trust, there's a problem. And how long does anyone think the Villone magic is really going to last?
Great quote from Josh Bard in the "Chatter" blog by Mark Zuckerman of the Times: "They're trying their stinking best," Bard said. "But this isn't a 'try' league. This is a 'do' league."
Makes me like Bard a lot more now that he came up with a quote like that. I love the way he worked 'stinking' in there. And he's right. I'd try like hell if they gave me a chance. Not good enough. You have to do and this group does not.
Go 9 young men, go 9. Or you have no chance.
Now, where did that sunshine go?
4 comments:
I was there last night with about 10K of my closest friends (that 14K figure in the box score is nonsense, my "sold out" 200 club level section was half full). The difference between the way the pitching was going with Detwiler and then the relievers was night and day. The Bucs were not able to make solid contact with Ross's pitches for the most part. The home run was a fly ball that managed to travel just beyond the wall. A foot shorter and it would have been a loud out.
When Mock came in, the Pirate bats (when not being walked) started to crack with noticeable authority. This continued for the rest of the game, with the exception of Beimel.
I agree with your "go 9 young man" theme, but what can you as a starting pitcher do when your clueless manager pulls you after only 5 with a mere 84 pitches under your belt for Alex friggin' Cintron? Detwiler batting for himself would have had a better chance to get a hit.
Even more dispiriting was the fact that about 20% of the puny crowd were Pirate fans, there to support a team on the road that hasn't been over .500 since Barry Bonds went free agent after the 1992 season. At this point you have to wonder if ownership hasn't managed to alienate almost all of the fledgling fan base.
The state of Pennsylvania laughs at us.
bdrube is right. Ownership is terrible.
I think Harris should buy the team!
i'm pretty sure the decision to have Detwiler go only five was organizational.
the problem with the "go 9" strategy is that really isn't how the game is played anymore. there are very few pitchers with the economy to be able to pitch like that, and there are so many factors to why that is it's impossible to discuss in a blog comment.
Mike, your first sentiment in your post today was the correct one: Detwiler's got stuff. he probably won't be here for too long--this time. but when he gets back, we should have a major league starter.
that is the important thing from last night. not dwelling about poor performances from guys that aren't going to be on this team in two months, let alone two years.
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