Astros Get Blass-ted

Opening Day for the Buccos saw preliminary ceremonies delay the game for 12 minutes, but for good reason. Former Pirate pitcher and current broadcaster Steve Blass was honored for his 50 years in the organization. Also, there were heavy hearts by the many as "Amazing Grace" sounded throughout the stadium in remembrance of the 3 police officers recently killed in action. Even the players weren't exempt from the emotional seen as they bowed their heads in a moment of silence.

Nick B.

As for the game itself, Zach Duke was magnificent...again. Duke hurled a complete game shutout while giving up only 4 hits. Duke's shutout was the first by a Pirates pitcher in a home opener since John Candelaria beat the Cubs 1-0 on April 7, 1978. Duke could of given up 6 runs and still would have gotten his second victory of the season. The Pirates offense gave Duke 7 runs behind 14 hits coming from everyone in the lineup. Yes, everyone, including a deep double by Duke. Alliterations aside, Adam LaRoche was good, Ryan Doumit was good, and Freddy Sanchez was maybe the best. Sanchez got it started with his first double in the 1st inning setting the table for Doumit to drive him in to give the Bucs the early 1-0 lead. However, The Pirates really broke it open in the 3rd inning, an inning that Astro starter Brian Moehler would not get out of. Once again a Sanchez double gets it going, McLouth then singled him home, then LaRoche launched one into the right field bleachers breaking the game open. After Ramon Vazquez and Jack Wilson base hits and a Duke walk. Nyjer Morgan has a base hit to drive home 2 making it 6-0 Pirates. Pirates then scattered hits here and there to close the game out including a boneyard blast by Doumit in the 8th. It was Dukes day though, as he cruised to the shutout and was a huge part of the Pirates 2nd opening day win since 2004.

Game Notes

• Doumit - 2-5, HR, 2 RBIs, 1 R
• LaRoche - 3-4, HR, 2 RBIs, 1 R
• Sanchez - 3-5, 3 2b, 2 R
• Duke - CG, 4 H, 5 SO, 2 BB, 0 ER
• Opening Day= Good
• Andy LaRoche not in starting lineup=Better
• Andy LaRoche getting booed during opening ceremonies= Priceless
  

McLouth Signs

• Buccos signed All-Star McLouth today to avoid arbitration. McLouth signed through 2011 with a club option for 2012
  
• Club Option for 2012 is $10.65 Million
• Incentive Bonuses for the total contract could reach a total of $1.25 mil.

With the signing of Doumit, Maholm and now McLouth, it finally seems as if there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but at the end of the day does this really make that big of a difference in the short term?. Realistically, there is little if no chance of us winning for the next few years and so the signing of these three players may sound great at first but when Alvarez, Bryan Morris, Brad Lincoln are all in Pittsburgh in about 3 years is the core of our team even going to be signed then? Would we want these three signed then? These are all questions going into these signings but at the time it may look promising.