- The Pirates took game one in Detroit, 9-5
- The Tigers took game two in Detroit, 7-4
- Tigers closer Bruce Rondon left Tuesday's game with soreness in his right arm. Manager Jim Leyland stated Rondon will be held out for a few days.
After a subpar 2012 campaign, Tim Lincecum will be pairing up with Hector Sanchez for his starts in 2013. Lincecum and Sanchez worked well together throughout spring training, and they seem to have a good chemistry. There are obvious pros and cons to a pitcher having a personal catcher, and it's rare when the pitcher isn't a knuckleballer.
New Giants GM Zack Kiesel said he doesn't mind the idea of a personal catcher for Lincecum. "Obviously you want to get the best out of every player on your roster, and if this is what it takes then by all means I think there's a benefit to it. Having such a versatile guy like Buster Posey on your roster allows you to make a move like this. He can shift over and play 1st base when Sanchez catches, or he can just be used as a pinch-hitter."
Giants manager Bruce Bochy was on the same page as Kiesel. "Hector and Tim have a great relationship, and I don't mind making a move like this if it helps Tim. We were going to have 3 catchers on the roster anyway, and we can do that because of their versatility. I can have Sanchez and Posey on the field at the same time, and still have Quiroz as our 3rd catcher if something were to happen. Keeping Buster fresh is also important to me, and the strain on his body is less at 1st base. We have to keep his bat in the lineup as much as possible, while still keeping him fresh."
Comerica Park - Detroit, MI Weather: 54º, Clear Attendance: 26,536
Pittsburgh Pirates at Detroit Tigers
May 28, 2013
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Pittsburgh (31-22)
2
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
4
7
1
Detroit (34-17)
0
1
0
0
0
3
0
3
X
7
7
0
W: Joaquin Benoit (1-0) L: Jared Hughes (3-2) S: N/A
Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
AVG
BATTING 2B: T. Snider (8) HR: A. McCutchen (16), G. Jones (15) RBI: A. McCutchen 2 (27), G. Jones (29), P. Alvarez (41) HBP: T. Snider, J. Mercer
FIELDING E: P. Alvarez (2)
Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
ERA
W. Rodriguez
5.1
5
4
3
2
10
3.19
C. Leroux (BS, 1)
1.2
0
0
0
0
1
4.26
J. Hughes (L, 3-2)
0.0
0
1
1
1
0
3.20
T. Watson
1.0
2
2
2
0
1
5.02
Detroit Tigers
HITTERS
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
AVG
BATTING HR: V. Martinez (7), A. Dirks (7), O. Infante (3) RBI: V. Martinez 3 (33), A. Dirks (27), A. Avila (15), O. Infante (11)
Detroit Tigers
PITCHERS
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
ERA
J. Verlander
5.0
5
4
4
0
8
2.89
J. Benoit (W, 1-0)
3.0
1
0
0
0
4
3.63
B. Rondon (H, 1)
0.2
0
0
0
0
1
2.65
O. Dotel
0.1
1
0
0
0
1
9.00
PITCHING WP: J. Verlander 2 (2)
Martinez's 3-Run Blast Powers Tigers Past Pirates
DETROIT - The Pirates and Tigers traded punches in Detroit, with each team coming away with decisive blowout victories. With the series back in Pittsburgh, game three has the potential to be a pitchers dual, with Pirates righty James McDonald opposing Tigers righty Annibal Sanchez.
The Pirates had flashbacks from last season meeting with Justin Verlander, looking to change their fortunes this time around. To do that, the Pirates looked to get to Verlander early, and that's exactly what they did. With one out, Verlander hit Travis Snider on an 0-2 count, bringing up Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen worked Verlander to a 3-1 count, taking the 5th pitch of the at bat out of Comerica Park for a 2-run shot, giving the Pirates a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 1st, Wandy Rodriguez showed up his counterpart, striking out the side in order. Verlander led off the top of the 2nd, by hitting Jordy Mercer, followed by a single to John McDonald, advancing Mercer to 3rd. But Verlander would settle down, getting Starling Marte to ground out to end the inning. But the Tigers would get on in the bottom of the 2nd, as Andy Dirks hit a solo shot to cut the Pirates lead to 1.
Rodriguez would then walk Jhonny Peralta, followed by a single to Alex Avila. But the two would be left stranded on base, as Rodriguez got Torii Hunter and Ramon Santiago to strike out to end the inning.
In the top of the 4th, Garrett Jones hit a solo home run to give the Pirates a 3-1 lead.
The Pirates would continue to add on in the 4th, as Travis Snider followed the home run with a double, followed by a single from McCutchen. Pedro Alvarez would ground out, scoring Snider to put the Bucs up 4-1.
Jim Leyland would pull Justin Verlander in the top of the 6th, turning to Joaquin Benoit, who would get the Pirates in order. Trouble started to brew for Wandy Rodriguez in the bottom of the 6th, as Omar Infante led off with a solo home run, cutting the score to 4-2. Rodriguez would walk Cabrera, followed by a single from Prince Fielder. Andy Dirks would reach on a fielding error by Pedro Alvarez, scoring Cabrera to cut the Bucs lead again to 1. After a Jhonny Peralta single, Alex Avila reached on fielders choice, as he was called safe at first on a should have been double play, scoring Prince Fielder to tie the game at 4.
With the game tied at 4 heading into the bottom of the 8th, Clint Hurdle turned to Jared Hughes to face Miguel Cabrera, who would walk to start the inning. Hurdle then turned to lefty Tony Watson to oppose Prince Fielder who singled, to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Watson would get Andy Dirks to fly out and Jhonny Peralta to strike out, putting the Tigers in a 2 on 2 out situation. Leyland would turn to Victor Martinez to pinch hit, and he'd make the Pirates pay with a 3-run home run to give the Tigers the 7-4 lead.
Down to their final 3 outs, the Pirates went up again Tigers closer Bruce Rondon. Rondon got Russell Martin to ground out and Jordy Mercer to strike out, before leaving with an apparent arm injury. Former Pirates closer Octavio Dotel would take the mound to finish the game, allowing a single to John McDonald, before getting Starling Marte to strike out to end the game.
Player of the Game:
After splitting the first two games in the series in Detroit, the Tigers head to PNC Park for the remaining two games of the series. First pitch, 7:05PM.
MLB 13 The Show
Braves Franchise
Gameplay Settings
Hitting Difficulty - Hall Of Fame
Hitting Interface - Zone Plus
Plate Coverage Indicator - Off
Hitting View - Catcher Zoom 2
Bunting Interface - Classic
Guess Pitch - No Feedback
Baserunning Interface - Default
Baserunning Decisions - Assist
Sliding Decisions - Assist
Runner Windows - On
Controller Sliding - Off
Pitching Difficulty - Hall Of Fame
Pitching Interface - Pure Analog
Pitching View - Outfield
Pitching Ball Marker - Off
Pitch Callout - Off
Pitch Confidence - On
Pitch Delay - Normal
API - Off
Throwing Interface - Buttons
Throwing Meter - No Feedback
Throwing Difficulty - Hall Of Fame
Throwing Decision - Off
Throw Cancelling - On
Fielding Decision - Assist
Defensive Shift - Manual
One Button Dive/Jump - Off
Catch Region Indicator - On
Catch Position Indicator - Off
Tag Up Indicator - Off
Rob Home Run Indicator - Off
Fielding View Offense - Broadcast
Fielding View Defense - Medium
Controller Fielding - Off
Strike Zone - Off
Hot Zones - Off
Scorebar Display - Off
Pitch Select Display
Tutorial Tips - Off
Swing/Pitch Info - Off
Balks - On
Warm Up Pitchers - On
Umpire Balls And Strikes - Variable
Umpire Close Plays - On
Check Swing Appeals - Off
Game Log Order - Default
Injuries - On
Ejections - On
Vibration - On
Post Game Auto Save - Off
Presentation Mode - Broadcast
HR Celebration Cam - On
Foul Ball Camera - On
Batter Walkup - On
In-Game Ticker - Off
Ball Halo - Off
Ball Trail - Off
Roster Moves - Manual
CPU Roster Control - Off
CPU Trading - On
Instant Trades - Off
Ignore Budgets - Off
Force Trades - Off
Roster - OSFMv2
Platform - PS3
Version - 1.23+
Carroll doubled to left. Doumit scores. Sano scores.
7
2
MIN
9
Sanchez singled to center. Carroll scores.
7
3
Detroit Tigers
HITTERS
AB
R
H
RBI
BB
SO
HR
AVG
Infante, 2B
4
1
0
0
1
3
0
.276
Jackson, CF
5
0
1
1
0
1
0
.262
Fielder, 1B
3
1
0
0
1
0
0
.301
Hunter, RF
4
2
2
1
0
2
1
.223
Dirks, LF
4
2
2
3
0
0
1
.219
Peralta, SS
4
0
1
0
0
0
0
.271
Avila, C
4
0
2
1
0
1
0
.226
Berry, DH
4
1
1
1
0
1
1
.237
Santiago, 3B
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
.171
TEAM TOTALS
36
7
9
7
2
8
3
BATTING: 2B: A. Dirks (8) 3B: A. Jackson (3) HR: T. Hunter (8), Q. Berry (2), A. Dirks (4) RBI: A. Jackson (28), T. Hunter (25), Q. Berry (8), A. Dirks 3 (25), A. Avila (24)
Minnesota Twins
HITTERS
AB
R
H
RBI
BB
SO
HR
AVG
Bradley Jr., CF
5
0
2
0
0
0
0
.307
Hicks, LF
5
0
0
0
0
1
0
.250
Mauer, C
5
0
3
0
0
1
0
.246
Morneau, 1B
3
0
1
0
1
1
0
.266
Arcia, RF
4
0
0
0
0
3
0
.297
Doumit, DH
4
1
1
0
0
0
0
.287
Sano, 3B
3
1
1
0
1
1
0
.346
Carroll, SS
3
1
1
2
1
0
0
.287
Sanchez, 2B
3
0
1
1
0
0
0
.206
TEAM TOTALS
35
3
10
3
3
7
0
BATTING: 2B: J. Carroll (16), J. Mauer (8) RBI: J. Carroll (21), F. Sanchez (9) SAC: F. Sanchez
Utley reached on error. Young scores. Ruiz scores.
4
2
PHI
3
Nix sac fly to right. Howard scores.
5
2
PHI
3
Mayberry Jr. singled to right. Utley scores.
6
2
PHI
5
Revere singled to center. Nix scores.
7
2
PHI
5
Young singled to right. Rollins scores. Brown scores.
9
2
PHI
6
Rollins homered to right. Nix scores.
11
2
MIN
7
Bradley Jr. doubled to right. Plouffe scores. Carroll scores.
11
4
MIN
7
Mauer singled to left. Bradley Jr. scores.
11
5
PHI
8
Mayberry Jr. homered to left. Nix scores.
13
5
MIN
9
Morneau homered to right.
13
6
Philadelphia Phillies
HITTERS
AB
R
H
RBI
BB
SO
HR
AVG
Revere, CF
6
1
2
1
0
0
0
.289
Young, 3B
6
1
3
2
0
0
0
.258
Ruiz, C
6
1
3
1
0
0
0
.296
Howard, 1B
4
1
1
0
2
1
0
.294
Utley, 2B
6
1
0
0
0
2
0
.246
Nix, DH
2
3
1
1
2
0
0
.259
Rollins, SS
4
3
2
3
1
0
2
.198
Mayberry Jr., LF
5
1
3
3
0
0
1
.268
Brown, RF
5
1
2
0
0
0
0
.244
TEAM TOTALS
44
13
17
11
5
3
3
BATTING: 2B: B. Revere (15) HR: J. Rollins 2 (6), J. Mayberry Jr. (4) RBI: J. Rollins 3 (18), M. Young 2 (24), C. Ruiz (17), L. Nix (26), B. Revere (15), J. Mayberry Jr. 3 (22) SF: L. Nix
BASERUNNING: SB: B. Revere (22)
FIELDING: E: R. Howard (5), D. Brown (4)
Minnesota Twins
HITTERS
AB
R
H
RBI
BB
SO
HR
AVG
Bradley Jr., CF
5
1
1
2
0
1
0
.300
Hicks, RF
5
1
1
0
0
1
0
.264
Mauer, C
5
0
2
1
0
1
0
.239
Morneau, 1B
5
2
2
2
0
0
1
.279
Willingham, LF
4
0
1
1
1
1
0
.292
Doumit, DH
4
0
1
0
0
0
0
.297
Sano, 3B
2
0
0
0
2
1
0
.385
Plouffe, 2B
4
1
1
0
0
1
0
.214
Carroll, SS
2
1
0
0
2
0
0
.287
TEAM TOTALS
36
6
9
6
5
6
1
BATTING: 2B: R. Doumit (7), T. Plouffe (9), J. Bradley Jr. (7), A. Hicks (11) 3B: J. Morneau (1) HR: J. Morneau (15) RBI: J. Mauer (28), J. Willingham (38), J. Morneau 2 (44), J. Bradley Jr. 2 (22) GIDP: J. Bradley Jr.
Brian Sabean, the longtime general manager of the San Francisco Giants, has announced that he is retiring from baseball after leading the Giants to a World Series championship in 2012. Sabean was the longest tenured general manager in Giants history, and will leave in his wake a great team with a great future.
After a few weeks of interviews, the Giants have decided to go young with their next general manager. Larry Baer, the relatively new Giants owner, played a key role in these interviews, and feels that the new GM exudes youthful enthusiasm and a levelheaded, old-school mentality that is key in any front office.
Zack Kiesel began his career in baseball straight out of college as a sports journalist. After writing about his hometown Baltimore Orioles for the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network for a few years, he worked his way up the front office ranks. Kiesel had a reputation in the Orioles front office as a kid with a great mind who was learning all the time. As he worked his way up, he gained notice throughout the league via conversations with various general managers and owners. Many analysts have viewed him as an underrated GM candidate for the past few years.
Kiesel believes that great baseball teams have to be built on pitching and defense. This philosophy fits perfectly in San Francisco, where some of the best pitchers in the majors reside and strong defense exists at every position. Another of Kiesel's biggest philosophies is that championships cannot be bought. He is not interested in spending millions of dollars on a "dream team". He believes that team chemistry is stronger than star power, something that has proven itself around the league for many years.
When Kiesel met with the media to speak about the Giants, he was beaming. He was so happy to be thought of so highly by the San Francisco ownership and was amazed that his first GM position would be with such an amazing organization. But he also had some very specific points about this year's team. First of all, he was very happy with all facets of the team at this point. He believes that they have great pitching, good hitting, and good defense. If there was one or two aspects that he'd like to improve, he said the bench and the minor league depth.
Kiesel also said that he looks forward to working with manager Bruce Bochy, someone he has respected for a long time. He said that he is the type of GM that keeps out of the manager's business, and lets him do his job.
Overall, this seems like a risky hire for the Giants on paper, but with such a solid team and such a mature, smart GM, it may not be so risky after all. Kiesel said that he isn't here looking to change this team. He sees a championship team in the locker room, and simply wants to add some depth behind them and make small tweaks to make them better.
Comerica Park - Detroit, MI Weather: 62º, Rain Attendance: 28,325
Pittsburgh Pirates at Detroit Tigers
May 27, 2013
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Pittsburgh (31-21)
1
2
1
0
2
0
2
0
1
9
14
1
Detroit (33-17)
0
0
1
3
1
0
0
0
0
5
7
0
W: A.J. Burnett (4-2) L: Rick Porcello (5-3) S: N/A
Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
AVG
BATTING 2B: J. McDonald (1), G. Sanchez (5), T. Snider (7) HR: S. Marte (4), A. McCutchen 2 (15), T. Snider (8), M. McKenry (5) RBI: S. Marte (12), A. McCutchen 3 (25), G. Sanchez (12), T. Snider 2 (21), M. McKenry 2 (7)
BASERUNNING SB: A. McCutchen 2 (9)
FIELDING E: B. Inge (5)
Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
ERA
A. Burnett (W, 4-2)
6.0
5
5
5
1
7
4.66
D. Welker (H, 2)
1.0
1
0
0
0
2
0.00
M. Melancon (H, 10)
1.0
1
0
0
0
2
3.38
J. Grilli
1.0
0
0
0
0
1
0.44
Detroit Tigers
HITTERS
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
AVG
BATTING 2B: V. Martinez (11) HR: M. Cabrera 2 (15), J. Peralta (6) RBI: T. Hunter (19), M. Cabrera 2 (44), J. Peralta 2 (25) GIDP: A. Avila
Detroit Tigers
PITCHERS
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
ERA
R. Porcello (L, 5-3)
5.0
9
6
6
0
1
5.46
A. Alburquerque
1.1
2
2
2
0
2
3.78
B. Villarreal
1.2
1
0
0
0
0
7.16
O. Dotel
1.0
2
1
1
0
1
9.35
PITCHING WP: R. Porcello (1)
Pirates Outslug Tigers in Comerica Park Derby
DETROIT - After taking two of three from NL Central foe Milwaukee, the Pirates headed southeast to face the Detroit Tigers. The series with the Tigers is unique, as the Tigers play host at Comerica Park for the first two games, immediately followed by the Pirates hosting at PNC Park for the last two games of the four game set.
The first sign of offense came right away in the top of the 1st, as Andrew McCutchen crushed the first pitch he saw to deep left center field, his 14th home run on the season, giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead.
After Garrett Jones singled with two outs, Gaby Sanchez grounded to center, but was called out at second base to end the inning. The Pirates struck again in the top of the 2nd, as John McDonald doubled with one out, then scoring on a two-run shot from Michael McKenry to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Jhonny Peralta hit a solo home run to bring the Tigers to within one.
After Burnett got out of his half of the inning, the Pirates went back to work. With one out, Andrew McCutchen singled, advancing to 2nd on a ground out by Garrett Jones. Gaby Sanchez would then hit a ground rule double to score Jones, putting the Pirates up 4-1. After a scoreless top of the 4th, Burnett ran into trouble. One an 0-2 count, Miguel Cabrera homered, cutting the lead to 4-2. Pena would follow with a walk, advancing to 3rd on a double by Victor Martinez. Tori Hunter then singled, scoring Pena to cut the lead to 4-3. Jhonny Peralta would knock in another run, as Martinez scored on a fielders choice, a play that manager Clint Hurdle thought was called incorrectly, tying the game at 4.
The Pirates broke the tie in the 5th, as Andrew McCutchen hit his second home run of the game, this time, a two-run home run scoring Travis Snider to give the Pirates a 6-4 lead.
Miguel Cabrera would get the Tigers a run back in the bottom of the 5th, hitting his second home run of the game, putting the score at 6-5.
After a scoreless 6th inning, the Pirates broke the game open as Clint Barmes lead off with a single, later scoring on a 2-run home run from Travis Snider to give the Pirates an 8-5 lead. Starling Marte would add another insurance run in the top of the 9th, giving the Pirates a 9-5 victory.
Player of the Game:
The Pirates and Tigers meet for game two of this brief two game set here in Detroit tomorrow evening, as Pirates lefty ace Wandy Rodriguez opposes Tigers ace Justin Verlander. First pitch, 7:05PM.
- The Pirates and Tigers meet for a quick two game series in Detroit on Monday and Tuesday, before heading back for a two game set in Pittsburgh on Wednesday and Thursday
- The Pirates currently sit atop the NL Central, leading the Reds by 1.5 games
- The Tigers currently sit atop the NL Central, leading the White Sox by 2.5 games
Miller Park - Milwaukee, WI Weather: 71º, Cloudy Attendance: 14,649
Pittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers
May 26, 2013
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Pittsburgh (30-21)
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
3
5
0
Milwaukee (16-33)
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
6
2
W: Francisco Liriano (2-1) L: Kyle Lohse (2-4) S: Jason Grilli (17)
Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
AVG
BATTING 2B: P. Alvarez HR: P. Alvarez (16), R. Martin (8) RBI: P. Alvarez (40), R. Martin 2 (24)
Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
ERA
Liriano (W, 2-1)
7.1
5
1
1
1
8
3.90
Melancon (H, 9)
0.2
1
0
0
0
0
3.54
Grilli (S, 17)
1.0
0
0
0
0
0
0.45
Milwaukee Brewers
HITTERS
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
AVG
BATTING 2B: A. Ramirez (10) 3B: J. Lucroy (1) HR: R. Weeks (3) RBI: R. Weeks (14)
FIELDING E: R. Weeks (5), C. Gomez (3)
Milwaukee Brewers
PITCHERS
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
ERA
Lohse (L, 2-4)
6.0
5
3
3
0
5
3.65
Badenhop
2.0
0
0
0
2
1
2.50
Henderson
1.0
0
0
0
0
0
4.74
Home Runs Back Liriano's Gem as Pirates Take Series
MILWAUKEE - After the Pirates won game one of the series, the Brewers answered back in game two, beating the Pirates 5-2. With recent, notable struggles in Milwaukee, the Pirates look to take the series in game three, as Francisco Liriano takes the mound, opposing Milwaukee's Kyle Lohse.
After Kyle Lohse breezed through the top of the 1st, Norichika Aoki lead off with a single, but Liriano would lock in, striking out Rickie Weeks, getting Ryan Braun to ground out, and getting Corey Hart to strike out looking to end the inning. But the Pirates would make the most noise first, as Pedro Alvarez hit a lead off double, then scoring as Russell Martin hit a 2-run home run to put the Pirates up 2-0.
In the top of the 3rd, Jordy Mercer singled, followed by Andrew McCutchen reaching on a fielding error by Carlos Gomez. Pedro Alvarez followed with a single, but the inning would end as Jordy Mercer would be called out at home to end the inning.
The Brewers got to within one in the bottom of the 4th, as Rickie Weeks drilled a 2-2 pitch from Liriano to deep center for a solo home run.
In the top of the 6th, Pedro Alvarez responded with a solo home run of his own, giving the Pirates a 3-1 lead.
Jonathan Lucroy hit his first triple of the season in the bottom of the 7th, but would be stranded, as Yuniesky Betancourt struck out to end the inning.
The Pirates made some noise in the top of the 8th against Burke Badenhop, as Starling Marte lead off with a single. Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones were intentionally walked to load the bases with 2 outs. But Russell Martin would ground out to end the inning and leave the bases loaded.
With the lead heading into the 9th, the Pirates turned to closer Jason Grilli who nailed down a 1-2-3 inning for a Pirates win and his 17th save on the season.
Player of the Game:
After taking the series from the Brewers, the Pirates continue their road trip for a short two game series in Detroit, before returning home for two more games with the Tigers.
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