August 14 vs. Milwaukee Brewers

This season he’s hit .283 with a [league]-best 45 stolen bases. And in July, the 25-year-old center fielder batted .441. The speed he can offer [his team] in late-game situations was particularly intriguing to [his manager].

Carl Crawford?  Chone Figgins?  A younger Kenny Lofton?

Nope.  It’s Rajai Davis, who gets to play with the big boys now that Nate McLouth is serving time on the disabled list with a bum ankle.  Davis is the International League’s most prolific base stealer, and although he probably won’t get much playing time until his September promotion, he does provide a late-inning spark from Tracy’s limited bench.  Rajai’s audition starts now for a spot in the 2007 Pittsburgh outfield.  Duffy, McLouth, and Davis all can’t make the club next year–one will likely need to be shipped out of town in the offseason.  The last forty games of the season will determine who stays and who goes.

Monday night’s victory made four Pirates wins in a row as Pittsburgh toppled Milwaukee, 4-2.  Victor Santos gave the Bucs five decent innings of four hit ball while surrendering the two Brewer runs, and the bullpen combination of Torres-Grabow-Capps-Gonzalez shut down the opposition from the sixth inning on.

More importantly, though, check out the boxscore and the lineup:

Duffy (cf)/ Wilson (ss)/ Sanchez (3b)/ Nady (1b)/ Burnitz (rf)/ Paulino (c)/ Bautista (lf)/ Castillo (2b)/ Santos (p)

That’s right, no Jason Bay.  His consecutive games streak was stopped voluntarily by Jim Tracy; frankly, I’m glad it was.  When the Bucs are playing meaningful games in July, August, and September in 2008 or 2009, I want our manager to be able to sit Bay down when he needs a day off (much like Big Papi was rested before a stressful week of games for the Red Sox this week) without worrying about another Ironman run.

In Bay’s stead, Jeromy Burnitz belted another homerun; Chris Duffy had a 2-4, 2 R, SB night hitting leadoff; Jose Castillo went 2-3 with a Bucco Blast from the eighth spot; Freddy Sanchez drove in another run and went 1-3 to leave his average at .345.  The lineup might’ve been more productive with Bay batting cleanup instead of Xavier Nady (0-4, 3 K), but we sat down our slugger and still got a win.  Can’t beat that.

JB is playing like he really wants to be moved in the next two weeks.  Monday’s game was vintage Burnitz:  a strikeout, a homer, and some mediocre defense.  I’m hoping Omar Minaya gives DL a call.

A few quickies before I wrap things up:

  • Gonzo boomed his way to save #21 and remained perfect on the season after another two strikeout ninth.  Why do I keep hearing his name mentioned in potential offseason trades?
  • Freddy Sanchez stole his second base of the year.  With all of the hustle we see from Steady, you’d think he’d run more often.
  • Jack left the game with an injury and was replaced by Jose Hernandez.  Shouldn’t be serious.
  • A-Rod:  113 G, 429 AB, .287 BA, 25 HR, 85 RBI, 19 2B, 11 SB
  • J-Bay:  118 G, 422 AB, .291 BA, 25 HR, 81 RBI, 22 2B, 7 SB

Doug Davis and Tom Gorzelanny tonight at 7:05.  Five in a row and back-to-back series wins?  Sure, why not.

It’s A New Pirates Generation, everybody shout "Let’s Go Bucs!"

Leave a comment