Pirates turn the table
I feel I should apologize to the Pittsburgh Pirates after I left to enjoy the sun on Sunday afternoon.
After the once-not-a-worry bullpen collapsed yet again, turning a 4-4 tie into a 7-4 deficit in the top of the eighth inning, I disgustingly turned off the TV and hopped on my bike.
Nothing like a nice bike ride on a sunny Sunday to set up the week, so I completed my usual circuit to the bridge in Dickerson Run. (Not Dawson, as my dad always chided me for Dawson is on the other side of the river. My dad grew up in Liberty, by the way, a neighborhood across the river from Dawson.)
Cycling takes on a new perspective this time of year with the Tour de France. But, any aspirations I have of such greatness are killed when I have to 鈥渃limb鈥� two blocks on South Arch Street, and then wonder how do those guys handle climbing the Alps and Pyrenees and I鈥檓 killing just to make it to the top of Arch Street?
But, anyway, my legs finally carried me back to the house. I was doing a check of things on the phone and came to discover the Pirates walked to a walk-off victory in the bottom of the 11th inning. Rallied from three runs down, twice.
Now, in the grand balancing scale of a Pirates season, the Buccos owe me and other fans more 鈥渟orry-bout-thats鈥� than the other way around. But, this time, the tables were turned.
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In fairness, though, I鈥檝e changed the channel in disgust in the city蘑菇视频 other two big pro teams.
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Josh Bell has to adjust that he蘑菇视频 not going to hit a home run or double, or make an impact play every time he has a bat in his hand.
MLB pitching staffs have figured out the best way not have Bell kill ya is to not throw him a pitch in his hitting zone. Bell in the last month or so has more than his fair share of 鈥渂ad鈥� at-bats.聽
To borrow a phrase from Mike Tomlin, Josh Bell has to learn he蘑菇视频 not going to make a 鈥渟plash play鈥� every time up.
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Bryan Reynolds looks like he蘑菇视频 here to stay, and Melky Cabrera was a steal as yet another reclamation signing.
Someone in the outfield has to move, and Gregory Polanco looks to me to be the odd man out. Just trade him to an American League team.
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I think it蘑菇视频 time to make a hard decision on Jung Ho Kang蘑菇视频 future in the big city, too. And, given his history of head injuries, what is to be done with Francisco Cervilli? Jacob Stallings isn鈥檛 the second coming of Johnny Bench (or even Milt May), but he蘑菇视频 a serviceable backup.
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Tyler Glasnow won鈥檛 be pitching until late August now after the Tampa Bay Rays starter was shut down after an MRI showed inflammation after throwing long toss on Sunday. Glasnow had six wins and an ERA of 1.86 in early May and that appears where he鈥檒l be until Labor Day because he hasn鈥檛 pitched since.
Austin Meadows鈥� breakout season has hit a bump, of late. Although he蘑菇视频 still batting just above .300, Meadows has slowed down since Memorial Day.
Meadows鈥� average was .353 through the end of May with 12 home runs and 35 RBI, but is batting .200 in June with no home runs and six RBI. His body of work over the past 30 days stands at .287 with 3 home runs and 17 RBI. Meadows鈥� numbers have considerably slowed in the past two weeks.
He also strikes out just over once in every four at-bats (26 strikeouts-230 at-bats, 26.5 percent).
Chris Archer hasn鈥檛 been exactly Cy Young (or Doug Drabek) this season, but things take time to develop. Our immediate gratification society doesn鈥檛 always work in sports.
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The Fourth of July is just a week away and that means: 1, The summer, unfortunately, is closer to the end than the start; 2, The annual John Woodruff 5K is just a couple weeks away; and 3, The American Legion playoffs are not far off.
The 37th annual Woodruff 5K will take place on July 10. Runners take to the streets of South Side at 7 p.m., with walkers a minute or so behind. The 800-meter run for youngsters 9-and-under is at 6 p.m. on the track.
Information can be found on the club蘑菇视频 page on Facebook (The John Woodruff Club). Hard copy forms can be printed off the site with early registration deadline on July 3 for $20. Cost goes to $25 through race day. Or, participants can register online at Active.com.
The kiddies run on the track for free.聽
If you鈥檝e never done so, I鈥檇 highly suggest taking the drive to Connellsville and participating. The folks in South Side and South Connellsville line the route (a big circle, just keep making right turns until the only left at the 2陆-mile mark. Can鈥檛 get lost, though one of my nephews did so on a training run one time!)
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Have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July!