Altoona Curve updates

[GiveHyzduashot]

Some notes from tonight's 21 innings of baseball:

In the first game, makeup from last nights suspended game ....

Diorio really struggled. He left everything over the plate and was crushed. He gave up 5 runs in 2 innings.

Darren Burton is a very good rightfielder. Very good range.

In the 15 inning game ......

Justin Reid pitched a whale of a game. He went 8 very strong innings with 1BB and 8K's. He hit his spots and pitched excellent. He just doesn't have the stuff though to do much better than AAA. His stuff is average and he tops out at 87 ..... not too fabolous.

Rico Washington was back to his old form, he had at least two doubles. He has a cannon arm. Tim Raines Jr, who is very fast, hit a chopper to third base. Washington took his time, fielded the ball, and threw Raines out by a good 3 feet.

Shaun Skrehot had three hits, including the game winner in the bottom of the 15th.

Lee Evans had 3 hits but also had two passed balls.

Rivera was 0-fer. He and House didn't collect a hit.

Tony Alvarez had one hit.

Mo Bruce made good contact a couple of times tonight. He had one hit along with three sacrifices. He hammered a ball down the rightfield line too, but the rightfielder caught it.

And I think that's it ..... 21 innings of baseball, ya gotta love it. http://forum.addictsports.com/baseball/ubb/smile.gif

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[Jimbo21]

... and at a price that you could afford, to boot! It sure is nice to be able to go to a game at the drop of a hat, and not have to re-do the family budget to see a ballgame. Thanks for the updates!

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.:Jimbo21:.

[Rick]

I also like Rico Washington's bat. The problem is, he doesn't have the "normal" power for a corner IF. I know they have tried him at 2B and at C also but apparently he can't handle those positions defensively. With guys like Kendall, JW, Nunez and AB as possible starters, it would be hard to have another "non power hitter" in the lineup. For a guy like Washington to start the team would have to find another OF or middle infielder with some pop in their bat.

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[3-2 Changeup]

Skrehot looks like a typical Pirate SS--something like 22 error YTD. How long do you thing before Rico gets to Nashville? There isn't anyone in front of him from what I can tell. Maybe then ARAM can move to 1B if Craig Wilson doesn't claim the job.

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"Struck 'eem out on a 3-2 changeup to end the inning."

[3-2 Changeup]

I'd take a Bill madlock type bat at 3B as a No. 2 or 7 hitter.

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"Struck 'eem out on a 3-2 changeup to end the inning."

[GiveHyzduashot]

Rick .... welcome.

Jimbo--yeah it's very nice to be able to go to a game and make it through the night on $15 at the maximum, whereas at PNC $15 will just get you through the gate.


Rico Washington won't be in Nashville until mid August at the earliest. He just came back from a hand injury and my guess is the Pirates would want him to get back in his groove at AA than send him to AAA and have him struggle for a while because he isn't quite ready. He may not have the "traditional" power, but his defense at third is very good. He's got an above average to very good arm and he's quick. I'm surprised he's not in centerfield to be honest. He'd be a prototypical centerfielder.


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[This message has been edited by GiveHyzduashot (edited 07-06-2001).]

[Rick]

Thanks for the welcome! Have you noticed that Tony Alvarez has been playing CF lately? The Pirates realize that Giles' best position is LF and that a speedy CF is necessary in PNC. Alvarez has come along quickly the last couple of seasons. While his defensew has not been great the problem is in part that he has played so many positions. Baring any trades it looks like next season their could be a 3 player battle for the CF job between AB, Redman and Alvarez.

[GiveHyzduashot]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Alvarez, House, and possibly Washington called up in September. House is a no brainer, guaranteed he'll get a call. And as quickly as Alvarez is developing, he'll probably be in Nashville by August at the latest. If he does well when he gets promoted to AAA he'll be a Pirate by September IMO. And Washington is lighting it up, no reason he shouldn't get a shot when he gets promoted to AAA.

On a side note, Curve lefthander Mike Gonzalez, who has recovered from an arm injury, has tossed 15 and a third scoreless innings. He was promoted to Altoona two weeks ago and shutuout Bowie, the Orioles affiliate. And last night, he shut down Erie, the Tigers affiliate and best hitting team in the league, over 8 innings.

[Rick]

Up until his injury Gonzales had been a very effective pitcher in the Pirate system. It seems like the Pirates have quite a few LHP prospects. That's really a positive thing because LHP is always in demand.

[GiveHyzduashot]

Yeah that's what I've read about Gonzalez. To be honest I never even heard of the guy until he got promoted to Altoona. I'm glad he's doing well ... the Pirates need all the pitchers they can get. Last night he pitched a masterpiece. For anyone wondering, the Pirates David Williams holds the Curve record for most scoreless innings pitched at 16 1/3.

[Jimbo21]

... I have watched him. I was a bit surprised to have him starting in AA, after the winter that he had, leading a league full of ML talent in hitting. I too, hope to see him get his first cup of coffee by September of this year.