Deja Vu for Karstens and Pittsburgh Pirates

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As the losses keep piling up, now reaching a week, the Pirates  quest to head back to Pittsburgh with a win today appears to be a tough assignment.  Jeff Karstens finds himself pitted against yet another pitcher that is receiving some media attention.  Armando Galarraga was perfect from his on the field performance to more importantly his reaction and professionalism off it.  Galarraga creates another David vs. Goliath matchup today.

Galarraga allowed two runs in five innings against the Chicago White Sox last week, his first start since his perfect game.  But when we look closer, perhaps the Bucs possess the stone to take down Galarraga.  The Pirates didn’t have any trouble last June against the big rightie when the Bucs scored four runs on eight hits over two innings.  Oh wait, most of those guys are around these parts any longer.

"First:  Andrew McCutchen pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.Nyjer Morgan walks.Freddy Sanchez grounds into double play, pitcher Armando Galarraga to shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Nyjer Morgan out at 2nd.Second:  Adam LaRoche homers (8) on a fly ball to right field.Delwyn Young singles on a line drive to center fielder Ryan Raburn.Andy LaRoche singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Delwyn Young to 2nd.Jason Jaramillo singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Delwyn Young to 3rd. Andy LaRoche to 2nd.Jack Wilson singles on a line drive to left fielder Marcus Thames. Delwyn Young scores. Andy LaRoche to 3rd. Jason Jaramillo to 2nd.Zach Duke flies out to center fielder Ryan Raburn.Third:  Freddy Sanchez singles on a line drive to left fielder Marcus Thames.Adam LaRoche singles on a line drive to center fielder Ryan Raburn. Freddy Sanchez to 2nd.Pitcher Change: Nate Robertson replaces Armando Galarraga, batting 9th.Andrew McCutchen grounds into a force out, shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Placido Polanco. Andy LaRoche scores. Jason Jaramillo to 3rd. Jack Wilson out at 2nd. Andrew McCutchen to 1st.Nyjer Morgan doubles (6) on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Jason Jaramillo scores. Andrew McCutchen out at home on the throw, right fielder Magglio Ordonez to second baseman Placido Polanco to catcher Gerald Laird."

Karstens brings a  4.81 ERA (5.68 on the road) into the game.   Against the Nats, Karstens threw well for the majority of the game.  But when he is left on the mound, extended past, oh, let’s say the fifth or sixth inning, it can get ugly.  Karstens has been maddeningly effective in various starts this season.  The guy is a gamer.  He was left to dry and allowed nine hits in five innings at Strasmas 2010 on Tuesday night.  Left handed batters are hitting .382 off Karstens, while right handers have been held to a .247 average.

The Pirates have scored  201 total runs.  We are in a kiss your sister with the Orioles for the worst run production in the major league baseball.

HOT: 

Garrett Jones is 7 for 15 (.467) over his last four games and hit his 20th solo shot last night.  He is in some good company with only Prince Fielder and Dan Uggla having more.  Jones is hitting .318 in his past 29 games.

Neil Walker has hit safely in 13 of his 17 games.

Ronny Cedeno has hit safely in five of last six games.

Quincy Latimore finished runner up in the Florida State League Home Run Derby at All-Star weekend.   Jeff Locke and Noah Krol threw a scoreless inning.  Latimore also went 2-for-5 in the game.

NOT

Ryan Church is 2-for-26 in the last 11 games.