Pirates

[LionPride]

What a game last night for the Buccos. Down 5-0, and coming back for a 6-5 win. Should've been 7-5, if Bay didn't have his head in his posterior.

Has there ever been that many home runs at PNC in one game? 6 homers is a lot even for Coors field.

[JungleJuice2]

Heck of a come back by the Bucs. I was glad to see D-train Ward make up for all the runners he left stranded on Saturday night by hitting the big one.

[bfords16hmansMITCH]

Pittsburgh is 2 outs away from giving the O's a losing road series since last year........Thanks to mack for the big hit..........also they would be 28-30 and have a possible 3rd place in their divison..good bucks

[defender007]

I can imagine the conversation between McClendon and Wiggington after Ty came out in the Post Gazette saying he just wasn't getting enough at bats. His argument was that he was basically getting screwed because he wasn't playing everyday. I can hear McClendon saying "You want at-bats? You'll get plenty of them down in Indy".

Mackowiak is possibly the hottest bat in the bigs right now, I think he lead MLB in batting avg. for May hitting something ridiculous like .440. Last night he was 3-4, 4 RBI and a home run away from the cycle against the Orioles. If he keeps hitting this way he'll be an all-star this year.

I love Doumit, I saw him hit in Spring Training. He was killing the ball there and he was one of the final cuts for the Bucs this Spring. Being a Curve fan I am always glad to see an Altoona guy make it. You know Jon Wehner sends them a bottle of Dom whenever they get called up? I think thats awesome.

[count2infinity]

defender...for Mockowiak batting avg. for may or for june?

[JungleJuice2]

If the Bucs keep playing hot like they are now winning these series, we're looking at .500 ball in June, which is definatly not too shabby.

I'm hoping the Bucs continue to pitch, hit and field so they can sweep the D-Rays and be 1 game over .500 going into a tough road trip at the Bronx and Fenway.

[ham55]

Yankee's are down and so are the BoSox right now, but no matter when you catch them, they are always a tough team. If they come out of this weekend above .500, and can take 2 of 3 from the Yankees, and 1 of 3 from the BoSox, I'll be supremely happy.

[thepalerider]

If I were the GM once Craig Wilson comes back and if he is swinging a goodbat I would trade him to an American League team, he would be a great DH. He is a major liability in the field. Also, if anyone would take him I believe that next year at this time Doumit will pass up Cota. Also, Neil Walker should only be about 2 years away if he continues to kill the ball. I didnt like the Jack Wilson signing of 2 years at all. I hope his bat comes around but if he doesnt Sanchez Hill and Castillo can be the future up the middle. I believe that the first priotity in the offseason is to find a ligit homerun threat for in the middle of the order, hopefully an outfielder. Tike Redman should be released.
Finally, once they fall which u know will happen i would like to see them unload, Matt Lawton, Kip Wells, Redman, Torres, and Craig Wilson, I dont mean give them away like they gave Aram away but get major league ready players in return.

Wells and Redman can be traded because of the arms in the minor leagues Snell, Stewart, Bullington, and the injuries to Burnett and Van Benschton. Hopefully Perez will be the Ace next year like he was supposed to be.

One thing I want to ask everyone is what they think about Vogelsong. I think he would be a great closer with the stuff that he has. If you look at some bad starters they went on to have great careers after becoming closers. Lee Smith, Dennis Eckersely, Jose Mesa, Jason Isringhauson, Randy Myers, Keith Foukle to name a few. I know Gonzo is the future but they should give him a shot that way some team may be interested in him as bullpen help.

[defender007]

Count sorry it took so long to reply but Mackoviak is hitting .414 since May 2nd (that was before the loss to the Rays) and like .352 overall.

[jumper22]

I was curious as to how Mackowiak's average stood against the rest of the league so i looked it up. I then realized a disturbing fact. As of June 18th, only 4 pirates had enough at-bats to qualify for the batting crown. And 1 or 2 were within 25 at-bats. No one else was even close. When mackowiak got playing time last week, he was second in the league (for a day or two) until he got benched against every left hander they faced. I've said before i think giving players rest is a good idea but how do you know what Mackowiak is going to against left handers if you refuse to start him against them. And switching line-ups so often that at-bats are that spread out? Give me a break. It's time for Lloyd to go. He brings great fire and heart to this team but screws them with his stupidity.

I dont know if i agree with trading Craig Wilson, but if we would get quality talent, i wouldn't be completely against it. We have played pretty well without him but maybe we could play better with him. He played a pretty decent left field before he was injured (much better than in the past and it has to be better than Restovich did the other night) That would also get rid of the need to play Tike or Restovich very much.

I think after watching Mesa the past couple of weeks, its time to trade him now. Anyone could do what he has done. 4.53 ERA for a closer!?!? Unbelievable.

I also think Doumit needs to stay with the club and send Ross down. He is decent but Doumit is our future and is playing well. he will definately pass Cota soon. And Doumit can also play some outfield (again getting rid of the need to play tike and restovich.)

i would like to see them keep mark Redman as he has been the ace of the staff and being a leftie, he is very valuable to this team. I wouldn't count on all those young arms until they are ready to produce. Hopefully that is soon.

And a question for anyone. With three lefties in the rotation now, and with 3 solid lefties coming up through expecting to start in the majors soon, has any team ever had a starting 5 that is all lefties and should the pirates let it come to that (even if they are the best 5) or should they keep a rightie or two to change it up. The lefties are very talented so its hard to argue against them.