IGT 7/12/13 NYM@PIT - You Can't Spell Panic Without PNC

[Guest Swan Swan H]

On August 8, 2012 the Pittsburgh Pirates had a W-L record of 63-47, and sat just 2.5 games behind the eventual division winners, the Cincinnati Reds. They went 16-36 the rest of the way, bottoming out at 18 games back of the Reds.

On June 30, 2013 the Pittsburgh Pirates had a W-L record of 51-30, and led the NL Central by two games over the St. Louis Cardinals. Since then they have gone 3-6, slipped to 1.5 games back of the Cards, and are probably starting to hear voices. Losing this series going into the All-Start break could be the start of something very bad for the Bucs.

The Mets come into Pittsburgh as winners of 16 of their past 25. Tonight's pitcher, Jeremy Hefner, is 4-1, 2.09 over his past nine starts, and has held opposing batters to a .623 OPS over that stretch, slightly lower than Kirk Nieuwenhuis is carrying. Righthander Charlie Morton, making his sixth start of the season, will be on the mound for the Pirates.

Game time is 7:05.

[ashie62]

The Pirates have lost 6 of their last nine. If the Pirates are folding their tents let it continue through Sunday...

[seawolf17]

Let's sweep them, then convince them that trading Gerrit Cole for Dillon Gee and Marlon Byrd is the answer to all their problems.

[metirish]

Excellent info in the setup Swanie.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Pirates lineup from the team's Twitter account, re-tweeted by Rubin:

[dinosaur jesus]

Do the Pirates have a calligrapher on staff?

[Guest Swan Swan H]

dinosaur jesus wrote: Do the Pirates have a calligrapher on staff?

Yes, and apparently he has the DTs.

[Edgy MD]

[*:ybbwnlp2]Eric, lf[/*:m:ybbwnlp2]
[*:ybbwnlp2]Daniel, 2b[/*:m:ybbwnlp2]
[*:ybbwnlp2]David, 3b[/*:m:ybbwnlp2]
[*:ybbwnlp2]Isaac, 1b[/*:m:ybbwnlp2]
[*:ybbwnlp2]Marlon, rf[/*:m:ybbwnlp2]
[*:ybbwnlp2]Kirk, cf[/*:m:ybbwnlp2]
[*:ybbwnlp2][bigpurple:ybbwnlp2]ANTHONY![/bigpurple:ybbwnlp2], c[/*:m:ybbwnlp2]
[*:ybbwnlp2]Omar, ss[/*:m:ybbwnlp2]
[*:ybbwnlp2]Jeremy, sp[/*:m:ybbwnlp2][/list:o:ybbwnlp2]

[Guest Swan Swan H]

1. Eric, lf
2. Daniel, 2b
3. David, 3b
4. Isaac, 1b
5. Marlon, rf
6. Kirk, cf
7. ANTHONY![/bigpurple], c
   
8. Omar, ss
   
9. Jeremy, sp

Edgy MD wrote:

Well, there go my plans for tonight. I have to stay home in case he takes a foul ball off his thigh and has to rub it.... and rub it...

[G-Fafif]

WRIGHT'S SLIGHTS
Starling Marte, lf
Jose Tabata, rf
Andrew McCutchen, cf
Pedro Alvarez, 3b
Russell Martin, c
Garrett Jones, 1b
Jordy Mercer, 2b
Clint Barmes, ss
Charlie Morton, rhp

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Of course, Pedro Alvarez homers in his first AB. 2-0 Bucs, end of the first.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Four innings done in less than an hour. Still 2-0 Pirates, Byrd leading off.

[Zvon]

Swan Swan H wrote: Four innings done in less than an hour. Still 2-0 Pirates, Byrd leading off.

Yea, wow, 6th inning already at 8:20.

Young doubles with one out. Comeback time:)

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Wright drives in Young with a bloop single. 2-1, Ike up with two out.

[Zvon]

I'll take one at a time. For the next three innings. But we have to hold em. Hef is pitching well. Bear down and hold em at 2 Jeremy.

[ashie62]

Swan Swan H wrote: Wright drives in Young with a bloop single. 2-1, Ike up with two out.

That was the old-new Ike flailing. He sucks

Please start Satin tomorrow...

[Guest Swan Swan H]

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Nooey-boom! Tie game.

[Zvon]

[ashie62]

Very nice work...

[Frayed Knot]

I don't think I've ever seen an outfielder quite like Marlon Byrd, specifically the way he immediately removes his glove with the ball still in it after catching the 3rd out and trots back to the dugout with the glove tucked under his arm.

[Zvon]

Ashie62 wrote: Very nice work...

Thnx Ashie. Hefner looking good in the 7th. I may have to whip up a graphic just for extra inning games if they are going to play a hundred of em this season. Id prefer the Mets win this in regulation.

Hmm, Hef pulled.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Frayed Knot wrote: I don't think I've ever seen an outfielder quite like Marlon Byrd, specifically the way he immediately removes his glove with the ball still in it after catching the 3rd out and trots back to the dugout with the glove tucked under his arm.

Has he been doing that all year? I only noticed it over the past few days.

[Frayed Knot]

Swan Swan H wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: I don't think I've ever seen an outfielder quite like Marlon Byrd, specifically the way he immediately removes his glove with the ball still in it after catching the 3rd out and trots back to the dugout with the glove tucked under his arm. Has he been doing that all year? I only noticed it over the past few days.

I can't say for sure that he does it EVERY time, but it's something I've been noticing for a while now.

[nymr83]

WHY DID THEY PULL HEFNER??? he was fucking cruising!!

[Zvon]

Frayed Knot wrote: I don't think I've ever seen an outfielder quite like Marlon Byrd, specifically the way he immediately removes his glove with the ball still in it after catching the 3rd out and trots back to the dugout with the glove tucked under his arm.

I noticed that early on and just the other day I saw another Met player do it. Don't recall who. Obviously, this team is bonding.

Ugh Valde. Go sit down.

[Frayed Knot]

Nymr83 wrote: WHY DID THEY PULL HEFNER??? he was fucking cruising!!

DUH!, so Valdespin could strike out.

[Zvon]

Nymr83 wrote: WHY DID THEY PULL HEFNER??? he was fucking cruising!!

Agreed #83.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

I think Valdespin's ability to play shortstop is the only thing keeping him around. He's been dreadful lately.

[Lefty Specialist]

Met bullpen vs. Pirate bullpen.



Urk.