First Star - A. Soriano (.171)
Second Star - S. Gallagher (.148)
Third Star - Geovany Soto (.082)
After watching this game, the notion of balance sits perched upon my thoughts. There seems to be a delicate balance upon which great teams strive for success. This team is all about that balance. When one struggles, another succeeds. They have grown accustom to success, as much as we had all grown accustom to “October-less” baseball. You can look to each position and find a player that succeeds due to the dedication and determination of those surrounding him.
Geovany Soto has proven time and again that his mental fortitude suites him well as our all–star catcher. He seems to brush off these “mini-slumps” as quickly as he drives one over the left field wall. Many players seem to get stuck in over thinking their slump. Over analyzing every swing of their bat. Soto appears to walk confidently up to the plate, no matter whether he has struck out his previous 3 times, or connected perfectly on each and every pitch.
As with life, when one door closes, another opens. With the possibility of Ward going on the DL, we might see the cultivation of a future all-star in Micah Hoffpauir. He was superb in spring training. D. Lee has been struggling as of late, and it seems evident that a day off might be very overdue. If indeed Hoffpauir is called up, this might help to give Lee his much-needed rest.
Inning by inning recap
1st –Gallagher gets two quick outs, however then grazes Jason Bay with a pitch. But a long fly out ends the inning. We get to Gorzelanny quickly. Soriano leads off with a dinger to left. Theriot draws a very quick walk. Theriot steals, and on the throwing error takes third. Ramirez gets Theriot home. Soto goes long ball as well. (3-0)
2nd – Nady draws a leadoff walk. Gallagher gets a quick Fielders choice, then pop out. Ramirez makes a great barehanded grab, however Bixler is safe at first. Two on…Two out…Inning ends with a fly out to Johnson. DeRo sets a good tone for the 2nd, with a double. Johnson singles to left. Gallagher with a nice sac bunt. Johnson to 2nd. Soriano comes through once again. 3 run shot to left-center. Theriot and Lee end the inning. (6-0)
3rd – Sanchez draws a leadoff walk. But after a great snag by D. Lee, DP. Another nice inning for Gallagher. Ramirez flies out to deep right. Soto draws the walk. Swinging bunt by Cedeno, Soto to 2nd. DeRo flies out to center. (6-0)
4th – Gallagher mows ‘em 1-2-3. Three K’s for Gorzelanny. (6-0)
5th – Leadoff single. Popout. Gorzelanny strikes out bunting foul. DeRo makes an amazing catch in right. Leadoff double for Theriot. Both D. Lee and Ramirez ground out. Soto comes up a little short on his 2nd dinger of the day. (6-0)
6th – McLouth doubles to right-center. Gallagher walks his third Pirate of the day, but then gets his 3rd K of the game. Nady singles and drives in the 1st run of the game for the Pirates. But a big DP ends the inning. DeRo gets that run right back with a solo shot to right. Big Z hits for Gallagher. No HR this time though. (7-1)
7th – Howry relieves Gallagher. Great defensive grab by Theriot for out number 1. After a 10 pitch at bat by Sanchez pops out behind the plate. (Lance Briggs SCREAMS…not sings…the 7th inning stretch). Soriano called out on strikes. Theriot bounces out. D. Lee grounds out to third. (7-1)
8th – Horrible inning for Howry. He gives up 2 HR’s and all of the sudden it is a 3-run game. Ramirez grounds out. Soto singles to left. Fukudome reaches on fielder’s choice. DeRo flies out. (7-4)
9th – Wood goes 1-2-3 for his 9th save of the year. Very nice inning for Woody. (7-4)
May 16th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
“Lance Briggs SCREAMS…not sings…the 7th inning stretch”
Yup. Good call there!!
Ten games over five hundred. This is fun.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Sori = the man
I love this team.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
We need to understand that when Soriano is not in a hot streak, he will still lead off, still throw out runners, still get an occasional hit — and someday heat up. When Soriano IS in a hot streak, he is clearly the best leadoff man in baseball — no one else can dominate a game as he can. Three leadoff HR in four games? Are you kidding? First inning runs are gold. With no outs they are priceless.
Keep it going, Fons.
May 17th, 2008 at 1:12 am
I would ask what makes him the best lead off hitter in baseball that is exclusive to being a lead off hitter? Could someone be one of the best hitters in baseball and not be a good lead off hitter? I think most of your answer would be about what makes a good hitter…not a good lead off hitter.
May 17th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Great point, Rick. When he gets in a “cold” streak, I hope we don’t have to sit here and listen to everyone complain about him again.
Soriano is streaky, but when he gets in his groove, he is a great asset to this team, and a very good hitter (be it leadoff or anywhere else in the order that Lou might put him). Let’s all remember that fact, and not be so quick to get down on him next time!
And yes, ten games over .500 in the middle of May is very fun.
May 17th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Most of the time, he only leads-off at the beginning of the game.
May 17th, 2008 at 10:36 am
I will confess that I am not a big Afonz fan. I like him as a player, but I think his contract is a long term mistake.
Yes, someone can be a good hitter and not a good lead off hitter. Tony Gwyn was a great hitter, but you would not want him hitting lead off because he can not run. A good lead off hitter has a balance of a good eye (knows how to take a walk), good hitting, and good speed ( to steal a base and get into scoring position quickly, make the pitcher worry about something else other than pitching, make the pitcher more likely to throw fastballs and strikes this helps the #2 hitter and (2) to be able to go to third on a hit to the outfield.
May 17th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Quoted for truth!
May 17th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I dont care if he only leads off the first inning of the game. He always bats behind the pitcher and in front of the two guy and sets the table for the three four and five guys. Thats why it matters more than just in the first inning.