OnlyBucs

And the bottom of the Pirates order requests more of Kahnle on the mound. Suwinski and some guy named VanMeter both hit HR's, and VanMeter's is with a man on base.

Keep it rolling Surg- you are doing fine

Time for Stratton to again look like an end of of the game reliever. Unfortunately, not off to a good start with a walk and a VanMeter error.

Stratton does his best to resemble toast. So disappointing after the Bucs took an unexpected lead, and after the Pirates gave him plenty of rest by holding him back out of games.

Even Little Leaguers know that you freeze on a line drive when you are at third with less than 2 outs. Apparently the Pirates and their 3rd base coach do not adhere to that philosophy as 3 times this season they have been doubled up by poor fundamental baseball

Running on contact from 3B when the infield is playing in is one of the most asinine "strategies" I've ever seen. Over the years we've seen countless Pirates thrown out at home on ground balls to the infield because they were running on contact with the infield in. Getting that jump off 3B usually doesn't matter. They're still out at home. Now we get Chavis doubled off 3B on a line drive. The old adage was always "make sure it goes through" before running from 3B. But the Pirates are too smart for that. They prefer a way that never works.

0D21292E2502352333400 wrote: Geez --- Pirates are continuing to play with a 3 man bench. 



Concerns ---



1.  Soon there will be no position player available to suck up an inning or two when the pitching staff gets rocked.



2.  Lo the benefit of having someone on the bench who can hit.

Today's options are Cole, Tsutugo, and Perez.   



3.  The Bucs may need to have one or more pitchers practice as an outfield substitution.



4.  Vogelbach should still hang onto a glove or two; he may be needed in the field.



5.  VanMeter's time with the team will be protracted because of his (in)ability to play multiple positions.



6.  While they could have found potential playing time as a DH, the careers of pinch-hjitters like Smokey Burgess and Jerry Lynch may have come to a premature end.


Smoky and Jerry would have been great DHer's

Jerry Lynch wouldn't be a great anything.



Decent maybe. Great? No.

2 hits for VanMeter! Hard to believe they gave him a triple on an obvious single and 2 base error. But we'll take it.

The running on contact finally works. Helped by poor throw from SS.