After Further Review… Adam LaRoche Makes Trivia History; Pirates Take Another One From Cards 5-2

With most of Pittsbugh focused on the Pens Caps in the House that Unused Cell Minutes Built tonight in DC.  We wanted to give you a quick snapshot of the matchup before all eyes move South.  Go Pens.

UPDATE: My game recap is below:

Adam LaRoche became the first MLB player to have a homer taken away by video replay.

While the rest of the planet enjoyed the Pens, the Bucs kept on playing great baseball.  LaRoche doubled twice and Brandon Moss stayed hot with two hits and also scored twice. 

Jack Wilson also had three hits after going 0-4 last night. 

Ohlendorf made it four wins in his last five starts.  He struck out five and walked none.

Freddy Sanchez is playing great baseball.  He leads the league in doubles.  He has been showing some patience at the plate which is rare, but showing benefits.  Check out his web gem tonight somewhere on TV.

Not to rain on the hit parade, but we still would love to see the Pirates not strand so many baserunners.  It is frustrating from a fan’s perspective.  I couldn’t imagine what the pitchers are feeling….

My pregame snapshot is below:

PITCHING:

Pirates starting pitcher Ross Ohlendorf 3-3 4.14 ERA has won three of his last four starts.  He faces RHP Joel Pineiro (4-2, 3.66ERA.)

Ross lost the first matchup against the Cards when he went 6.0+ and gave up 2 earned runs on 94 pitches in the Pirates 2-1 loss on April 9 at St. Louis.  Last week on May 7, he allowed five runs in 6.0 IP and lost a 5-2 decision to last night’s loser Todd Wellemeyer.   It wasn’t all bad for Ross, he picked up his first career hit.  By the way, hats off to Tony Beasley for all the time he has spent with Pirate pitchers on their hitting technique.  It is paying off.

In two games against the Cardinals this year, Ross is 0-2 with a 5.25ERA.  He has allowed 14 hits, seven earned runs, two walks and six strikeouts.  Unlike fellow pitcher Zach Duke, Ohlendorf has received some solid run support, the Pirates have plated 22 runs in his last four starts.

Jesse Chavez has been scored on twice in the past 13 appearances.  He pitched 11.1 innings giving up just 2 earned runs

HITTING:

Robinzon Diaz is 5-for-8 in his last two games with a double, RBI and run scored.  He is hitting .421 in five games this month.  On the season Diaz is 10-for 22 against RHP, bring it on Joel Pineiro (4-2, 3.66ERA)

Andy LaRoche has reached base safely in 23 of his last 24 games. 

Freddy Sanchez has a six game hitting streak on the line tonight.

Delwyn Young has gone 4-for-9 as a pinch hitter.  He is 2-for-4 against LHP and 5-for-16 against RHP.

ON THE BASE PATHS:

Nyjer is third in the NL with nine stolen bases.