Pittsburgh Pirates Weekly: Vol. 10 Issue 6

Sunday May 16, 2010

Features

• Week Five: Recap
• Week Six: Preview
• Injuries

Week Five:Recap

The Pirates again started the week out on a poor note, going down in defeat (11-4) to the St. Louis Cardinals. They then welcomed Cincinnati to PNC Park and were swept in the three game series. Friday they arrived in Wrigley for the start of a three game weekend series with the Cubs. The Bucs have taken the first two and finished the week alone in third place at 16-20.

The Pirates offense is really struggling. They are batting .235 as a team, 15th in the national league with 29 home-runs (13th in the NL) and have 126 rbi's (15th in the NL).

The pitching is starting to improve but the Pirates 5.64 team era is 15th in the National League.

If the Pirates want to stay out of the celler, they are going to need Aki Iwamura and the first base position to produce more. Iwamura is currently batting .159 and Jeff Clement (first base for now) is batting .196.

Week Six: Preview

Today Ross Ohlendorf will attempt to help the Bucs swept the Cubs for the second time this season. Olendorf will face the Cubs lefty, Ted Lilly. The Game is scheduled to start at 2:20 p.m. They will then head to Philly for a short two game series with the Phillies and on Wednesday, the Bucs will welcome the Brewers to PNC Park for another short two game series. They will conclude the week with a three game series with Atlanta at PNC Park.

Date        Time   Location                           Probables

5/16/10    2:20   Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL.    Ross Ohlendorf vs. Ted Lilly

5/17/10    7:05   Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA. Charlie Morton(1-6 9.19) vs. Kyle Kendrick (1-1 5.89

5/18/10    7:05   Citizens Bank Park              Zach Duke (2-4 5.56) vs. Roy Halladay (6-1 1.59)

5/19/10    7:05   PNC Park                          Brian Burres (2-1 5.00) vs. Randy Wolf (3-3 4.56)

5/20/10    7:05   PNC Park                         Paul Maholm (3-3 4.40) vs. Chris Naveson (3-1 5.29)

5/21/10    7:05   PNC Park                         TBA vs. TBA (Braves)

5/22/10    7:05   PNC Park                         TBA vs. TBA (Braves)

Injuries

On Tuesday May 11, 2010 Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto hit Ronny Cedeno on the left wrist, but examinations show no break and Cedeno should not miss much action.

On Friday May 14, 2010 first baseman Steve Pearce had an MRI on his right knee, which he felt pop during Friday's game with the Cubs. The MRI came back negative and Pearce should be fine. Prior to Fridays game, Brendan Donnelly threw a 25-pitch session of the Wrigley Field mound and felt good. Donnelly should be activated mid-week.

On Sunday May 16, 2010 Aki Iwamure sat out to rest a tight hamstring and is expected to give it a few more games rest before returning.

GO BUCS