Game 102, Coonelly Frustrated, Seven To Go

Vitals:

SAN DIEGO PADRES (38-64)	RHP CLAY HENSLEY (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (47-54)	RHP YOSLAN HERRERA (0-1, 19.50 ERA)
Game Time	7:05 EDT
XM	XM 185
TV	FSN

Coonelly Frustrated:

Don't read too much into the comments Coonelly made on the Alvarez signing.  There were rumors the deal was close prior to the All-Star break with a possible announcement prior to or during the break.  What happened?  I haven't spoke with my "friendly bartender" lately to see what the tripping point was.  He may have no idea any way.  My guess would be the Major League contract portion of the discussions. 

What you can take from the article is Coonelly is frustrated because the deal has not been finalized yet.  The Pirates were hoping to have a quick signing and have Pedro Alvarez as high as Indianapolis(AAA) but more than likely in Altoona(AA) within a couple weeks of the draft.  The front office sees a need to get him to Pittsburgh as quickly as possible.  By losing a month, they fear he will not make it to Pittsburgh before 2010.

Seven To Go:

I made a decree the Pirates could win 10 of the 14 games after the break.  After the 4 game sweep in Colorado, that looked to be a huge stretch.  With San Diego followed by a now hot Colorado team on this home stand the likelihood is not as optimistic.  I could see the Pirates taking it to Colorado as payback, but the Rockies are getting healthy again.  A 5-2 home stand would not be bad at all and would get the Pirates back to within 4 games of .500.

Oh, a 5-2 home stand would also kill off the history of a June/July swoon.  There is always August.

Upcoming Games:

Friday vs. San Diego 7:05 RHP Cha Seung Baek (2-4, 4.66 ERA) vs. LHP Zach Duke (4-7, 4.92 ERA) FSNP (HD)
Saturday vs. San Diego 7:05 RHP Josh Banks (2-4, 3.51 ERA) vs. RHP John Van Benschoten (1-2, 8.27 ERA) FSNP
Sunday vs. San Diego 1:35 RHP Jake Peavy (7-6, 2.76 ERA) vs. LHP Paul Maholm (7-6, 3.92 ERA) FSNP

Out of the Office:

I may be unavailable to post tomorrow, here are the vitals in advance for game 103:

SAN DIEGO PADRES (38-64)	RHP Cha Seung Baek (2-4, 4.66 ERA)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (47-54)	LHP Zach Duke (4-7, 4.92 ERA)
Game Time	7:05 EDT
XM	XM 185
TV	FSN

 

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