If you're looking for something to lift your spirits each day in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, might I suggest taking a look at the pitching.
Anywhere. Any level.
At the Major League level, the Pirates have a 3.55...
Pittsburgh Pirates flame throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman was suspended for two games, after being ejected earlier this week for arguing the strike zone with an umpire.
I wrote about the ejection earlier in the week, noting how...
After dominating in the first two rounds of the Pan American Tournament, Team USA just couldn't get going tonight in their semi-final game against the Dominican Republic.� Team USA beat the Dominicans 8-3 in the first round on October 5th, out-hitting them 11-7.� But today the tables were turned and it was the Dominicans who out-hit the USA 14 - 6 and who were the dominant force.� RF Todd Frazier (Reds) had 2 of the USA's hits -- a single and a triple, and one of the RBI's.� 2B Cord Phelps (Cleveland Indians) had the other RBI and one hit.� CF Mike Trout (Angels), 1B Eric Hosmer, and SS Chase d'Arnaud had one hit each.
Danny Duffy (Royals) made the start for Team USA.� He worked around a single in the 1st inning, and around two singles in the 2nd.� Then with two outs in the top of the 3rd, Duffy gave up a double, then threw a wild pitch that put the runner on third base.� A passed ball by USA C Jordan Pacheco (Rockies) allowed that runner to score from third, and the Dominicans had a 1-0 lead.
The USA hitters got on base in the first two innings.� Pacheco walked in the bottom of the 1st, but was erased in a double play.� Phelps tripled with two outs in the 2nd, but he was left on third when a line out ended the inning.� Three USA batters went down swinging in the 3rd inning.� Finally in the 4th, Team USA tied the score at 1-1.� Hosmer hit another 2-out triple, but this time, Frazier was able to follow with a single into right field, and Hosmer scored.
Duffy retired the side in order in the 4th, but got into trouble in the 5th. A lead-off single began the inning, then that batter was forced out at second on a fielder's choice, leaving the next batter safe at first.� Two more singles followed, driving in a run.� Duffy was relieved by Andre Lamontagne (Brewers), who gave up a walk, then got a grounder to third, where 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals) started an around-the-horn double play to end the inning.
Team USA continued to struggle at the plate.� Chase d'Arnaud doubled down the left field line in the bottom of the 5th, but his teammates couldn't keep it going.� Former Pirate Juan Perez struck out all three USA batters in the 6th, after Lamontagne also retired the Dominicans in order in the top of the inning.� Lamontagne gave up four singles (single, ground out, single, pop out, single for 2 RBI, and another single) for two runs in the top of the 7th, increasing the Dominican lead to 4-1.� Tim Collins (Royals) relieved Lamontagne and ended the inning with a line out.
The second USA run came in the bottom of the 7th, and it came courtesy of yet another triple.� This time it was Frazier leading off with a triple, and he scored on Phelps ground out to second base.� LF Brian Barden (Marlins) and d'Arnaud both walked, but the next two batters struck out, ending the threat.
Team USA was still clinging to hope, as Collins put the Dominicans down in order in the top of the 8th.� Hosmer was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the inning, but he was left on base.� The Dominicans put the game out of reach in the top of the 9th.� Collins walked the first batter, got a ground out, then gave up an RBI double.� He struck out the next batter, then was relieved by Justin De Fratus (Phillies).� But De Fratus was greeted by Dominican 1B Willis Otanes' 2-run home run on a 1-0 pitch.� That gave the Dominicans a 7-2 lead.� Team USA went down in order in the bottom of the inning, and that was all for the Americans -- a disappointing end to a fine run in the tournament.
DH Brad Eldred went 0-for-4 in the game, and C Erik Kratz did not get into the game tonight.
Cuba defeated Venezuela in their semi-final game, so Cuba and the Dominican Republic will play the championship game on Wednesday evening.� Team USA and Venezuela will play at 2 pm for third place.
