Please Demote Tony Armas Jr.

How can a 7-2 win spell the end for a game’s starting pitcher? Well, if your name is Tony Armas Jr., you only pitch 3 innings (again) and the guy who relieves you pitches well above your stats, then demotion might just be in the works.

Ronny Paulino came through with 3 RBIs against the Marlins, and Shawn Chacon pitched 5 scoreless innings in relief of Armas to record the win. Armas allowed 2 earned runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in 3 innings. Jim Tracy, who has been dodging questions about Armas’ possible demotion, can elude the hounding no further. He’s come out and said that it isn’t good when you have to ask your starter for the ball in the 2nd or 3rd inning. Tracy had to do just that yesterday. Luckily, the move paid off, and Chacon pitched well enough to allow the Pirates’ offense to kick into gear.

Chacon only allowed 1 free pass, induced 6 groundouts, 6 flyouts and 3 strikeouts. Could Chacon take Armas’ place in the rotation? Very possible. Or, Bryan Bullington (6-1 2.40 ERA) or John Van Benschoten (3-3 2.47 ERA) could fill that spot. Even if one of those two who are currently in Triple-A Indianapolis don’t make the starting rotation, they could move to the bullpen, giving Chacon a chance to start again. I would be pleased with either decision. Chacon is clearly a better talent than Armas, and a demotion for Armas would mean that Bullington or Van Benschoten would be able to face some major league hitting in some capacity.

One reason for the past 14 losing seasons, is that the Buccos constantly stick with bad pitchers, mainly because there is no other option. Over the past 3-4 seasons, our current starters were all too young and inexperienced to be called up to the bigs. With a tiny payroll, Pittsburgh couldn’t afford to spend lavishly on free agents either. This year, the Pirates tried to get into a bidding war for former Buccos starter Jeff Suppan, but couldn’t match Milwaukee’s offer. Instead, Pittsburgh settled for Washington castoff Tony Armas Jr. This decision is obviously not working out. Luckily, the Pirates finally have some young pitching in the minors who are just waiting for their chance to start in a Pittsburgh uni. Bullington has been putting up some ridiculous numbers, and Van Benschoten, at the very least, is a better fit than Armas.

Chacon, Bullington or Van Benschoten? I’d be pleased with either as our 5th starter. I’d also like to see Maholm demoted, so maybe a couple of these guys are about to get their first chance of 2007.

Uncool Rain Suspends Game, Relieves Bullpen

Tony Armas Jr. provided a second straight quality start, but the much-lauded (by me) bullpen gave up 4 runs. The Cubbies lead, 6-5 in the 7th, as both teams endured a 2 hour 18 minute rain delay.

The rains were pretty strong at times, so strong that they forced 2 birds into my parents' basement. My dad advanced upon the frightened creatures with a broom, and I countered with a mop. The basement ceilings are only about 7 feet tall, so the birds started nervously flying around at human-head level. My dad pinned one against the rafters in a bucket, and while he held the bucket to the ceiling, the other made a kamikazee move to Dad's head. It missed, and we released the first bird outside. I stood in the doorway to the attached furnace room as the 2nd bird approached, and proceeded to block it's path with the mop, causing it to land and hold on to the mop head as I held the handle. I then ran to the door and shook the mop outside, while hiding on the other side of the door (I didn't want that flying demon to turn around and make a last dive at me. I've seen that happen, only it was at college, and a lacrosse stick took the place of the mop, and it was a bat instead of a bird...and the bat didn't turn at the person, but at a brick wall. Okay so its not the same, but it made me think about that).

Oh, yeah...the game. After all the praise I've given the bullpen, John Grabow and Jonah Bayliss both gave up 2 runs each. Cliff Floyd crushed a ball that found its way into the Allegheny (bounced). Alfonso Soriano also started the game with a solo shot, which was his first of the year. More important, is that it was the 33rd leadoff homer of his career. Not as impressive as Rickey Henderson's record of 81 leadoff smashes (for which he hit a leadoff homer for 9 different teams), but it allows Soriano to creep closer to Craig Biggio at number 2 with 50 homers of the like.

The game will be finished at 12:35 today, and the regularly-scheduled game will be played a half hour after this one finishes.

Gorzo Gets 3rd Win as Pirates Beat Dodgers 7-5

Go ahead and cheer, Pittsburgh fans. Your Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Dodgers yesterday, 7-5, in Los Angeles. No extra innings here. No walk off grannys. Just good, Pirates baseball. Chris Duffy had 3 hits, scored 3 runs and swiped a pair of bases, while ADD Laroche (I've quit calling him Adam) hit a solo shot. I hope the Pirates offense is coming around, because we can ill afford to get stuck in the Central cellar again.

Before the season started Tom Gorzelanny was the last Pirate pitcher I would've expected to start the season with 3 wins. Ian Snell, if he could find his location, would've been my 1st pick. Zach Duke, if he could keep the opposing team from scoring 8 runs in the 1st inning, would have been a close 2nd. I probably even pictured Tony Armas Jr. with a couple of wins of his own. Paul Maholm...yeah I don't think I even figured him into the equation. But it is impressive that Gorzo leads the team in wins. No other young Pirate arm even has 2 wins.

The team's record is 7-10, which is still 3.5 games behind Milwaukee. I'm just happy that the team didn't lose again.

Paul (great...) Maholm (0-2) is on tap to pitch Tuesday in Houston against Woody (maybe we will have a chance) Williams (also 0-2). Both pitchers are sportin' ERA's over 6, so maybe the Buc's offense will be able to keep the momentum and really tee it off in Houston.

One more thing. Why are the seats behind home plate at PNC called the Lexus Club? Do you have to own a Lexus to sit there? And if the "Lexus" refers to preferred, or exclusive seating, then shouldn't the general admission bleachers be renamed the 1993 Plymouth Duster Club? Just a thought...