Push comes to shove for Cards, Pirates

PITTSBURGH - The silliness and finger-pointing that has marked the Cardinals-Pittsburgh rivalry over the past two seasons boiled over a couple of hours before Wednesday night's game when Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan got into it with Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon and hitting coach Gerald Perry behind the batting cage. By several accounts, including some Fox television footage, Perry landed a punch to Duncan's jaw. Upset with Perry, Duncan then may have made contact with McClendon, but there was no pictorial evidence of that. Both teams crowded around the batting cage during the incident, which occurred as the Pirates were wrapping up batting practice and the Cardinals were about to start theirs. The teams began to go their separate ways for a moment and then reconverged for another interlude of tugging and grabbing before disbanding once again. The ignition for the latest disagreement between the teams came Tuesday night. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa took exception not only with So Taguchi being hit on the left hand by a Ryan Vogelsong pitch in the ninth inning with the Pirates leading 10-0, but more so with former Cardinal Rick White throwing an inside pitch to the Cardinals' Hector Luna a couple of innings before that.
La Russa called the White pitch "suspicious" and surmised that White was responding to Luna upending Pirates second baseman Jose Castillo on a double-play attempt Monday. Castillo is out for the season. On Wednesday, Duncan reportedly questioned White in center field about the pitch to Luna. "Duncan asked me a question he probably shouldn't have asked," White said. "It's a question Tony should have asked. I would have talked to Tony." After White told McClendon what had happened, McClendon "wasn't too happy about it," White said. "Then, you saw what happened from there." McClendon challenged the Cardinals, saying that if they had a problem, La Russa should come to him. After McClendon jawed at Duncan, the Cardinals' pitching coach jawed back, and in the ensuing pushing and shoving, Duncan was clipped on the jaw by Perry Perry, a former Cardinals player, said he had come to McClendon's defense and insisted, "I didn't throw any punches. (Duncan) put his hand on my chest and I said, 'Get the hell out of here,' and I pushed his hand off my chest." Duncan said: "There's really nothing to talk about. This thing can only be worsened by talking about it." And La Russa said not once, but eight times: "There isn't anything to talk about. I'm not going to say anything about it. How many times do I have to say it? You can ask and I'm not going to say." La Russa and McClendon then met quietly behind the screen for 15 minutes after the fracas, with La Russa saying the upshot of the meeting was "let's get back to playing baseball." Umpiring crew chief Jerry Crawford summoned the managers into his chambers for another 15-minute session, and McClendon emerged with his arm around La Russa. Crawford declined to delve into specifics about what he said to the two managers. "It was a personal message," Crawford said. "As far as our conversation was concerned, I didn't even know who the combatants were. And to be quite frank, I didn't care who the combatants were. "It's just something that can't be tolerated. You can't embarrass the game, I'm sorry. You just can't do it." Last year, the Cardinals and Pirates had two incidents. The first was in early June when La Russa challenged Pirates catcher Jason Kendall after a couple of Pirates pitchers had thrown high and inside. McClendon took exception to that, and he marched virtually all the way to the Cardinals' dugout on the first-base side to confront La Russa. In August, McClendon got even, if it can be called that, by calling the umpires' attention to what former Pirates pitcher Julian Tavarez might have on his hat while he was pitching for the Cardinals in a doubleheader in St. Louis. Tavarez wound up serving an eight-game suspension, down from 10, after the umpires ruled that the substance looked a lot like pine tar. Playing down Wednesday's matter, McClendon said: "Really, it was just some pushing and shoving. It's just two competitive clubs. Both clubs want to win. Things probably got a little out of hand. Tony and I have since talked, and everything is fine." On whether Tuesday's game had something to do with it, McClendon said: "I'm sure there were some sensitive feelings as to whether or not some of their players were thrown at intentionally. I think we got all that straightened out. "There will be no problems. There will be peace. The games will be played clean, as they should be. "Tony and I discussed a lot of things and got a lot of things cleared up."

Source: http://www.stltoday.com/

La Russa gets milestone win as Cards beat Pirates

Morris (14-5) permitted two runs on nine hits while striking out two for the Cardinals, who won three of the four games in the set, including the last two. Edmonds went 3-for-4, scored three times and drove in a pair of runs. Pujols also had three hits and he crossed the plate twice. Yadier Molina and Hector Luna added two hits apiece in the win. St. Louis skipper Tony La Russa picked up his 2,195th career win to pass Sparky Anderson for third on the all-time managerial victories list. Dave Williams (10-10) took the loss after giving up five runs on eight hits over six innings. Ty Wigginton highlighted Pittsburgh's offense with a 3-for-3 performance and drove in a run. The Pirates have dropped five of their last six. They sit in the basement of the NL Central -- a staggering 27 games behind the Cardinals -- who have the best record in all of baseball at 81-47. The Cardinals took an early lead on back-to-back solo homers by Edmonds and Pujols in the first inning. Edmonds blasted a shot to right-center and Pujols smacked one inside the right-field foul pole. The Pirates got a run back in the bottom of the frame as Chris Duffy led off with a triple to right and scored when Freddy Sanchez grounded out. St. Louis tacked on another run in the fifth when John Rodriguez drove a base hit to center field to score Pujols, who had singled and advanced to third on a double by Yadier Molina. On the play, Duffy threw out Molina at the plate with a sharp throw from center to keep it 3-1. Pittsburgh pulled within 3-2 in the sixth when Wigginton singled home Rob Mackowiak, who had reached on a base hit and gone to second on a Ryan Doumit groundout. The Cardinals put up two more runs in the seventh. After David Eckstein led off with a walk, Edmonds drilled an RBI double to center. Later in the inning, Molina then singled home Edmonds. The Pirates' Jack Wilson hit an RBI single in the eighth to make it 5-3, but in the ninth, So Taguchi smacked a base hit to center that scored a run and capped the scoring. Game Notes Morris is 10-5 versus the Pirates in his career and 6-0 at PNC Park...This was the seventh time Edmonds and Pujols hit back-to-back homers this season...Edmonds hit into a double play in the fifth, which was the first time he had done so in 370 at-bats.

Source: http://www.wtev.com/

'Baby Brewers' pound Pirates

MILWAUKEE -- Prince Fielder will take this kind of pummeling anytime.
The rarely-used rookie hit a two-run, pinch-hit homer off Jose Mesa in the ninth inning Wednesday to give the Brewers a 6-5 victory over the Pirates.
"We just couldn't wait for him to get to home plate so we could beat him up," said fellow rookie J.J. Hardy, who helped the Brewers celebrate their first winning hit of the season with a pounding of Fielder, the son of former Tiger Cecil Fielder.
Hardy hit a two-run homer earlier in the game, as did Rickie Weeks, another of the "Baby Brewers" who are being counted upon to reverse the club's losing legacy.
This is just the start, Fielder suggested.
"Hopefully we'll be able to do that for at least 10 more years,'"' Fielder said after the trio of rookies provided all the pop at the plate.
Mesa (2-8) walked pinch-hitter Lyle Overbay on four pitches, then grooved an 0-1 splitter that Fielder sent to second-deck porch in right field, 400 feet away.

Source: http://www.detnews.com/

Cubs 9, Pirates 5

PITTSBURGH - Carlos Zambrano dominated the Pittsburgh Pirates until tiring with a big lead in the eighth inning. Maybe it was too much to ask him to complete two games in three days.
Zambrano beat Pittsburgh for the seventh consecutive time over two seasons, limiting the Pirates to two hits until the eighth and helping himself and the Chicago Cubs with two hits in a 9-5 victory Saturday.
Zambrano (12-5) went 5-0 against the Pirates last season - the first pitcher to beat them five times in season since Tom Seaver in 1973 - and is 2-0 in three starts against them this year. He gave up Craig Wilson's RBI single in the first, then was in control until he gave up three runs in the eighth.
Pitching 7 2-3 innings, Zambrano won his fourth in a row overall and his fifth in six decisions, though he failed for the first time in 13 starts to allow three or fewer runs. He gave up five runs and five hits, striking out nine and walking four, despite feeling pain in his back while fielding a ground ball in the second inning.
"I felt like a dog bit me in the back, but after I stood up and stretched I felt a lot better," he said.
Before the game, manager Dusty Baker was surprised to learn that Zambrano played in a 40-minute scrimmage with the Chicago Fire soccer team Thursday. The right-handed Zambrano was supposed to serve only as an honorary captain in an event staged for the media, but started the game as a midfielder and ended it playing goal - making five saves in about 15 minutes, one with his pitching hand.
"That was fun," Zambrano said. "I wasn't playing like we were trying to win the world championship or the World Cup ... just take it easy."
No doubt Baker would have had a different reaction if Zambrano, who regularly does stretching exercises for his sometimes-troublesome back, had aggravated the problem while playing another sport in-season.
"It was supposed to be a promotional thing, but it's hard to be out there and be good at it and not do something," said Baker, who wouldn't have knowingly allowed Zambrano to play. "It's too late now, but I'm sure they won't have any other promotions."
The Cubs are five games under .500 and out of postseason contention, but at least they can count on beating the Pirates, who are two losses from a 13th consecutive losing season. Chicago is 10-3 against Pittsburgh this season and 23-8 over the last two seasons.
Chicago is assured of its fifth consecutive winning season against the Pirates, the first time that has occurred in one of the NL's oldest rivalries since 1913-19, when the Cubs had winning records in seven consecutive seasons. They have won six in a row in Pittsburgh, where they have played .500 or better every season since PNC Park opened in 2001.
The Pirates, who have lost 50 of 85 since they were 30-30 on June 11, dropped their eighth in nine games and their 11th in 13 games - the kind of late-season slump that can get a manager fired. The Pirates have not exercised their 2006 club option on Lloyd McClendon, who has yet to have a winning season since taking over in 2001.
Regardless, McClendon is giving frequent starts to the seven Pirates rookies who have made their major league debuts this season, and will keep doing so. He bumped veteran starter Josh Fogg from the rotation Saturday to give more starts to rookies Paul Maholm and Zach Duke.
"We're making progress," he said. "Is it showing up in the standings? No, but it's not like we're not making progress."
Backed by hundreds of chanting fans in town for Saturday night's Notre Dame-Pitt football game, the Cubs chased Dave Williams (10-11) by scoring twice in each of the first two innings. Jeromy Burnitz had a run-scoring double in the first and Henry Blanco doubled ahead of RBI doubles by Jerry Hairston and Ronny Cedeno in the second.
Williams skipped a start after losing 6-3 to the Cardinals on Aug. 25 with what McClendon called shoulder fatigue, but struggled again at home, where he is 3-7 with a 6.68 ERA. On the road, he is 7-4 with a 2.65 ERA.
The Cubs kept adding runs after getting four runs and five hits against Williams in two innings, with Zambrano starting a two-run fourth with a single and hitting an RBI double in the fifth. Matt Murton hit his second career homer and Blanco added his fifth of the season in the seventh against Mike Gonzalez.
"Sometimes I get lucky and hit some pitches," Zambrano said. "I don't try to hit the ball like (Todd) Walker does, just try to make contact."
Notes: The Pirates lost their seventh in a row at home, where they are 0-2 on a six-game homestand after going 1-6 during their previous homestand Aug. 22-28. They have never lost eight in a row at PNC Park. ... The Pirates are 3-12 at home since July 24. ... Zambrano is 7-2 in his career against Pittsburgh.

Source: http://www.kentucky.com/

Pirates need to make Yost-esque hire

The first names you will hear in connection with the Pirates' managerial vacancy are Jim Leyland, Ken Macha and Art Howe, all of whom have strong Pittsburgh ties.
None is the right man for the job.
The Pirates need to find the next Ned Yost, a young, upbeat manager who will demonstrate the proper patience with the team's emerging core of young talent.
Leyland, the team's manager from 1986 to '96, is better suited for a contender. Macha, the A's current manager, probably isn't dynamic enough. Howe, previously with the A's and Mets, certainly doesn't fit that description.
General manager David Littlefield couldn't retain McClendon, not when his own job soon might be at stake. But because Littlefield needs to win, he probably will want a manager with major-league experience. One more loss will give the Pirates 13 straight losing seasons, the longest such streak in professional sports.
Littlefield would be foolish to give in to popular sentiment and hire a local candidate simply for the public-relations boost. Macha, a leading contender for American League Manager of the Year, would be a safe hire and maybe a good one, assuming he wanted to leave the A's. But the Pirates need to be open-minded and find the best development-oriented manager possible.
Yost lacked major-league experience when the Brewers hired him before the 2003 season. The Indians' Eric Wedge and Blue Jays' John Gibbons also are first-time managers with young clubs. Several highly regarded coaches are waiting for their first managing positions; go find one.
Interim manager Pete Mackanin would make a decent choice, some executives say. Farm director Brian Graham, another internal candidate, helped develop many of the Pirates' youngsters, and has nine years of minor-league managing experience.
This isn't a hopeless cause; the Pirates' outlook is starting to improve. With fresh leadership – and offensive additions who would complement their young pitchers - they could be a .500 club next season.
McClendon, who took over in 2001, never won more than 75 games, yet had more tenure than all but three NL managers. His teams always played hard, but most scouts and executives viewed him as a poor game strategist.
His firing was inevitable; Littlefield, who inherited McClendon, couldn't jeopardize his own position without ever hiring a manager.
This is Littlefield's chance. He can't afford to miss.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Pirates fire McClendon during 5th losing season

PITTSBURGH - Lloyd McClendon was the first Pittsburgh Pirates manager brought back after four consecutive losing seasons. With a fifth such season looming, the Pirates decided they wanted someone else running the club.
McClendon, an aggressive former player known for his competitiveness and frequent run-ins with umpires, was fired Tuesday after averaging more than 90 losses since 2001 for a perennially non-contending team.
Bench coach Pete Mackanin will be the interim manager for the rest of the season.
The talent-thin Pirates, who only this season began a concerted effort to rebuild with youth, lost again Tuesday night 4-2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in 12 innings to drop to 55-82.
"The way we've played the last three months hasn't been up to our capabilities," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "We have higher expectations with the players we have. We should be performing better."
Despite being fired from his first managing job, McClendon said he plans to — and expects — to manage again, and hopes to be back in the majors in some capacity next season.
"I'm 46 — there's a lot of managing left in me, about 20 years worth," he said.

Source: http://www.chron.com/

Diamondbacks 4, Pirates 2

PITTSBURGH - Brandon Webb didn't feel very good warming up. He left the Pittsburgh Pirates feeling even worse.
Webb pitched out of trouble in the fifth and seventh innings and allowed two runs over seven innings to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 4-2 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday night.
"Tonight before the game I didn't feel real comfortable with any of my pitches, and I got in jams. But I was able to pitch my way out of them," Webb said. "I made pitches when I had to, and that's what counts.
"I made some good pitches and had some real good plays behind me."
Webb (12-11) gave up seven hits, struck out four and walked one in handing the Pirates their 10th consecutive home loss. Pittsburgh has lost a season-high six straight overall and 11 of 12.
Craig Counsell and Shawn Green each had two hits and an RBI as Arizona won its second straight.
The Pirates, 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position in a 4-2 loss Tuesday, were 0-for-9 Wednesday.
Pittsburgh had runners on second and third with one out in the fifth but failed to score when Jack Wilson flied out to shallow left and Jason Bay's line drive was caught by a leaping Royce Clayton at shortstop.
"That really hurt," Pittsburgh interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "Bay hit the ball well three times tonight. Once again, we put two runs up on the board but we had some chances. That was a big blow right there. I thought that could get us going."
After consecutive singles by Ty Wigginton and Rob Mackowiak to start the seventh, Nate McLouth's bunt failed to advance the runners and Webb again retired Wilson and Bay.
"If we get deep into games, we feel very good about what we can bring in from the bullpen," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "When you get pitching that's strong through six, or with Webb tonight it was seven, ... that's important for every team. He had a good sinker, kept the ball down and made them put it into play."
Jose Valverde pitched the ninth for his sixth save.
Pirates starter Mark Redman (5-15) lasted 2 1-3 innings, allowing three runs and five hits. Redman has lost his last five starts and 11 of his last 12 decisions.
"I think he's better than he's been pitching lately," said Mackanin, who is 0-2 since replacing Lloyd McClendon, who was fired Tuesday. "He's got good stuff. He wasn't making quality pitches tonight, getting ahead of hitters and putting them away. He was pitching around the plate a little too much for me."
Pittsburgh's Daryle Ward made it 4-2 with a solo homer to right in the sixth, his first in 211 at-bats since June 7.
"I only have one question: `Do I look good running the bases?' Because I almost forgot how to do it," Ward said. "He just happened to leave a ball out over the plate, and I hit it the way I've been wanting to hit it for a while."
The Diamondbacks got an unearned run in the sixth for a 4-1 lead. Andy Green walked with one out and reached second when Chris Snyder's grounder was misplayed by Wigginton at third. Both runners advanced on Webb's sacrifice, and Andy Green scored on Counsell's bunt single.
Conor Jackson doubled with one out in the third and scored on Shawn Green's single to center to give Arizona a 3-0 lead, knocking Redman out of the game.
Pittsburgh made it 3-1 in the third when McLouth singled to left and scored on Wilson's one-out double down the third base line.
Arizona took a 2-0 lead in the second inning with two two-out hits. Shawn Green singled, stole second and scored on Andy Green's double to right-center. After a walk to Snyder, Webb singled to center to score Andy Green.
Notes: Wilson was selected as the Pirates' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the player who combines outstanding skills with devoted work in the community. Members of the Clemente family were at PNC Park to commemorate Roberto Clemente Day. ... Redman matched his shortest outing of the season. ... Webb has pitched into the seventh inning in eight consecutive starts. ... Ward's homer reached the Allegheny River on a bounce. Ward is the only player to reach the water on a fly, having done so as a member of the Houston Astros in 2002.

Source: http://www.kentucky.com/

D-Backs hand Pirates 10th straight home loss

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Brandon Webb allowed two runs over seven innings and had an RBI single to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.
Webb (12-11) gave up seven hits, struck out four and walked one in handing the Pirates their 10th consecutive home loss. Pittsburgh has lost a season-high six straight overall and 11 of 12.
Craig Counsell and Shawn Green each had two hits and an RBI as Arizona won its second straight.
Jose Valverde pitched the ninth for his sixth save.
Pirates starter Mark Redman (5-15) lasted 2 1-3 innings, allowing three runs and five hits. Redman has lost his last five starts and 11 of his last 12 decisions.
The Pirates, 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position in a 4-2 loss Tuesday, were 0-for-9 Wednesday.
Pittsburgh had runners on second and third with one out in the fifth but failed to score when Jack Wilson flied out to shallow left and Jason Bay's line drive was caught by a leaping Royce Clayton at shortstop. After consecutive singles to start the seventh, Nate McLouth's bunt failed to advance the runners and Webb again retired Wilson and Bay.
Pittsburgh's Daryle Ward made it 4-2 with a solo homer to right in the sixth, his first in 211 at-bats since June 7.
The Diamondbacks got an unearned run in the sixth for a 4-1 lead. Andy Green walked with one out and reached second when Chris Snyder's grounder was misplayed by third baseman Ty Wigginton. Both runners advanced on Webb's sacrifice, and Andy Green scored on Counsell's bunt single.
Conor Jackson doubled with one out in the third and scored on Shawn Green's single to center to give Arizona a 3-0 lead, knocking Redman out of the game.
Pittsburgh made it 3-1 in the third when McLouth singled to left and scored on Wilson's one-out double down the third base line.
Arizona took a 2-0 lead in the second inning with two two-out hits. Shawn Green singled, stole second and scored on Andy Green's double to right-center. After a walk to Snyder, Webb singled to center to score Andy Green.
Notes
Wilson was selected as the Pirates' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the player who combines outstanding skills with devoted work in the community. Members of the Clemente family were at PNC Park to commemorate Roberto Clemente Day. ... Redman matched his shortest outing of the season. ... Webb has pitched into the seventh inning in eight consecutive starts. ... Ward's homer reached the Allegheny River on a bounce. Ward is the only player to reach the water on a fly, having done so as a member of the Houston Astros in 2002.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Webb, D'Backs send Pirates to 10th straight home defeat

Shawn Green and Craig Counsell each had two hits with an RBI for Arizona, which has won the first two contests of this three-game set by identical scores. The Diamondbacks entered this series with five straight defeats and losses in 11 of 14 games. Daryle Ward homered for the Pirates, who have lost six in a row overall and 11 of their last 12. Even a change at manager hasn't helped them. On Tuesday, the Pirates fired Lloyd McClendon. Bench coach Pete Mackanin will guide the Pirates for the rest of the season. Webb (12-11) allowed seven hits and two runs, while walking one and striking out four to move to 8-4 on the road this year. "He just had a good sinker," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "He was keeping the ball down, challenging the guys, making them put it in play." Jose Valverde threw the final inning for his sixth save. Mark Redman (5-15) was tagged with the loss after allowing five hits and three runs in 2 1/3 frames. "Sometimes you make the change for the obvious reasons," Mackanin said of replacing Redman with Ryan Vogelsong in the third inning. "I didn't think I saw quality pitches. He had a high pitch count and I didn't have a good feeling about it." The Pirates have lost 10 in a row at home for the first time since 1968. Green singled with one out in the second and scored later in the inning on Andy Green's double. Webb singled to center with two outs to make it 2-0. Shawn Green'sShawn Green and Craig Counsell each had two hits with an RBI for Arizona, which has won the first two contests of this three-game set by identical scores. The Diamondbacks entered this series with five straight defeats and losses in 11 of 14 games. Daryle Ward homered for the Pirates, who have lost six in a row overall and 11 of their last 12. Even a change at manager hasn't helped them. On Tuesday, the Pirates fired Lloyd McClendon. Bench coach Pete Mackanin will guide the Pirates for the rest of the season. Webb (12-11) allowed seven hits and two runs, while walking one and striking out four to move to 8-4 on the road this year. "He just had a good sinker," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "He was keeping the ball down, challenging the guys, making them put it in play." Jose Valverde threw the final inning for his sixth save. Mark Redman (5-15) was tagged with the loss after allowing five hits and three runs in 2 1/3 frames. "Sometimes you make the change for the obvious reasons," Mackanin said of replacing Redman with Ryan Vogelsong in the third inning. "I didn't think I saw quality pitches. He had a high pitch count and I didn't have a good feeling about it." The Pirates have lost 10 in a row at home for the first time since 1968. Green singled with one out in the second and scored later in the inning on Andy Green's double. Webb singled to center with two outs to make it 2-0. Shawn Green's base hit in the third drove in Conor Jackson, but the Pirates scored in the bottom of the inning when Jack Wilson's double plated Nate McLouth. It became 4-1 in the sixth when Counsell's bunt single scored Andy Green. Ward homered to right field leading off the bottom of the sixth. It was his first homer since June 7, a span of 211 at-bats. It also marked his first extra-base hit since July 31. Pittsburgh had two runners on in the seventh, but Jack Wilson lined out and Jason Bay grounded out to end that threat. Game Notes Wilson was honored before the game as the Pirates winner of the Roberto Clemente Award...Pittsburgh's last home win was 10-0 over St. Louis on August 23. base hit in the third drove in Conor Jackson, but the Pirates scored in the bottom of the inning when Jack Wilson's double plated Nate McLouth. It became 4-1 in the sixth when Counsell's bunt single scored Andy Green. Ward homered to right field leading off the bottom of the sixth. It was his first homer since June 7, a span of 211 at-bats. It also marked his first extra-base hit since July 31. Pittsburgh had two runners on in the seventh, but Jack Wilson lined out and Jason Bay grounded out to end that threat. Game Notes Wilson was honored before the game as the Pirates winner of the Roberto Clemente Award...Pittsburgh's last home win was 10-0 over St. Louis on August 23.

Source: http://www.wtev.com/

Pirates farm report

A look at how the Pirates' farm teams fared in games played Tuesday:
INDIANAPOLIS (78-66) was off Tuesday and was scheduled to play host to Buffalo on Wednesday in Game 1 of the best-of-five first round of the International League playoffs.
ALTOONA (76-66) was off Tuesday and was scheduled to play at Akron (Indians) yesterday in Game 1 of the best-of-five opening round of the Eastern League playoffs.
LYNCHBURG (78-62/38-32) was off Tuesday and was scheduled to play at Frederick (Orioles) yesterday in Game 1 of the best-of-three first round of the Carolina League playoffs.
HICKORY (54-80/32-36) has finished its season.
WILLIAMSPORT (43-31) scored twice in the ninth inning to beat visiting Hudson Valley (Devils Rays), 4-3. 1B Steven Pearce went 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored, and DH James Boone drove in a pair of runs. Kevin Miller (5-1) earned the win in relief of starter Todd Redmond, who allowed one earned run and five hits in four innings, while striking out three. The Crosscutters lead the wild-card race by 1 1/2 games heading into last night's game with Staten Island (Yankees).
BRADENTON (28-26) has finished its season.

Source: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/

Notebook: Mackanin rates low his chances of promotion

WWith only 24 games to prove his worth, interim manager Pete Mackanin realizes the chances are slim he will be elevated to take Lloyd McClendon's spot full time. "I've always wanted to manage in the big leagues," Mackanin, 54, said. "But I'm pragmatic about the whole situation. I read the papers. I know there are a lot of names, and only 30 of these jobs in baseball. I'd love to have this job. ... But I'm also pragmatic about it. "Hopefully, I can make a good enough impression. The only way I can make a good impression is if everyone plays fundamental baseball and shows improvement."
Shortstop Jack Wilson was named the Pirates' winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, given for humanitarian service. Wilson is a finalist for the national 2005 Roberto Clemente Award, which has been awarded to one Pirates player, Willie Stargell in 1974.
Rookie left-hander Zach Duke, the two-time NL Rookie of the Month, is anxious to return to the mound. He will start Friday at Cincinnati in his first appearance since spraining his left ankle Aug. 23. Duke, who is 6-0 with a 1.81 ERA, threw 50 pitches in the bullpen Tuesday. "Hopefully, I can get back into it and find the rhythm again," he said. "The ankle feels fine. It's just going to be a matter of getting my endurance back." Another returning left-hander, Oliver Perez, will start Sunday at Cincinnati. Pirates pitching coach Spin Williams said Perez, who hasn't pitched since late June (toe), might be used out of the bullpen for an inning in today's game. "I'm happy to return," Perez said. Outfielder Jody Gerut said it will be about one more week before he returns from a right knee injury.
The Pirates are on pace to lose 100-plus games, but some of the club's minor-league affiliates are bidding for trophies. Three Pirates farm teams were scheduled to open postseason play Wednesday night, and another is on the verge of clinching a playoff berth. Indianapolis (78-66) plays Buffalo (Indians) in the Class AAA International League playoffs, while Class AA Altoona (76-66) meets Akron (Indians) in the Eastern League, and Class A Lynchburg gets Frederick (Orioles) in the Carolina League. Class A short-season Williamsport needs one win in two games against Staten Island (Yankees) to secure a wild-card berth.
he Breakfast of Champions has an appropriate cover. Late Pirates outfielder Roberto Clemente is pictured on a new Wheaties special-edition package (see Freeze Frame, C26). The boxes of the toasted whole wheat flakes will be available nationally this week. The unveiling was part of MLB's Roberto Clemente Day, in which all clubs playing home games paid tribute to the fallen Hall of Famer. Roberto Clemente Jr. , whose father died in a New Year's Eve 1972 plane crash transporting relief to Nicaraguan earthquake victims, threw out the first pitch yesterday.
Hitting coach Gerald Perry served the second game of his eight-game suspension handed down by Major League Baseball's vice president of on-field conduct Bob Watson and upheld this week by MLB vice president John McHale Jr. The suspension was the result of Perry's altercation with St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan during batting practice Aug. 24 at PNC Park. "All I can do is live with it, serve it and put it behind me," Perry said.

Source: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/

Future uncertain for coaches

Pirates pitching coach Spin Williams is the rare person who has spent his entire professional baseball life with one organization. From his playing days to his minor-league coaching career to his time on the major-league staff, Williams has collected his paychecks from the Pirates every year since 1979.
Williams isn't worried that, in light of former manager Lloyd McClendon's dismissal, his 27-year tenure with the organization may be coming to an end.
Like the rest of the major-league coaches, Williams is without a contract for next season. But he said Wednesday the only future he is concerned about is the one that pertains to the remaining games on the schedule.
"I have to go on," Williams said. "I'm a Pittsburgh Pirate. I have to do what I am paid to do right now."
That sentiment was shared by the other coaches who, like Williams, are in the unenviable position of not knowing where they will be employed next season. That includes interim manager Pete Mackanin.
"You can't worry about what is going to happen," third base coach John Russell said. "I've never been the type of person to worry about getting fired. You can't do that. You still have a responsibility to do."
It's almost certain there will be a staff shakeup at the end of the season, perhaps even before general manager Dave Littlefield begins the interview process for a permanent manager.
"When the top dog gets fired, there's always a chance there's going to be repercussions later," first base coach Rusty Kuntz said. "The one thing you have to remember is you're hired to be fired. I've been with four organizations. (Getting fired) is something that's always in the back of your mind when something like this happens."
Williams and bullpen coach Bruce Tanner are the two remaining coaches most closely aligned with McClendon. They were part of his initial staff that was assembled prior to the 2001 season.
Williams served as a bullpen coach under Jim Leyland, was retained by Gene Lamont and was promoted when McClendon took over.
"The only thing affecting me is I have a different boss," Williams said. I'm going to keep doing the same thing, which is keep working with the pitchers and do the same things I've done for the past five years."
Tanner spent seven years as a minor-league pitching coach before getting his break from McClendon.
"When you're on a year-to-year contract, you always wonder what's going to happen the next season," Tanner said. "It's always in the back of your mind if you're coming back and in what capacity. That's human nature. But I don't dwell on it too much. I try to be positive every day and keep the guys in the bullpen upbeat. We're flowing along like business as usual."
The rest of the staff was brought in by Littlefield following the 2002 season.
"I had options to go elsewhere and I signed here, so I want to stay," Perry said. "I came here to accomplish a job, and that's still my plan. You want to finish what you start."
Russell is hoping to interview for McClendon's position. Although he lacks major-league managing experience, Russell was a highly successful minor-league manager in the Minnesota Twins organization, and he interviewed last off-season for the Philadelphia Phillies post that went to Charlie Manuel.
"I'd love to get a shot," Russell said. "This is the type of team I'd like to manage. It would be a great opportunity for anybody. Right now, it's not a concern. I love what I do. I love the job, I have and if I kept doing this, that would be great, too."
Tanner, the son of former Pirates manager Chuck Tanner, continues to live in his native New Castle, so he obviously also would like to stay on board.
"I like what's going on here," he said. "I see good things going on down the road. This is the first time in five years that I feel we're starting to turn the corner. Not from wins and losses, but from what I see on the field."

Source: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/