If you're looking for something to lift your spirits each day in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, might I suggest taking a look at the pitching.
Anywhere. Any level.
At the Major League level, the Pirates have a 3.55...
Pittsburgh Pirates flame throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman was suspended for two games, after being ejected earlier this week for arguing the strike zone with an umpire.
I wrote about the ejection earlier in the week, noting how...
Team USA made quick work of Team Canada this afternoon in San Juan, Puerto Rico, extending their record to 8-0 in the Pan American Tournament.� Canada's record falls to 4-4 in the second round, and they will not be advancing to the final rounds.
Team USA scored their runs one at a time, beginning right away in the top of the 1st.� For the second day in a row, CF Mike Trout (Angels) started the game with a home run, this one a huge blast over the left field wall.� Two singles followed, but both runners were out on the basepaths:� C Jordan Pacheco (Rockies) tried to stretch his single into a double and was thrown out at second base.� 3B Mike Moustakas also singled, but when former Pirate DH Brad Eldred lined out to the third baseman, Moustakas was doubled off first base.�
In the 2nd inning, 2B Cord Phelps (Cleveland Indians) started a 2-out rally with his single into left field.� LF Brian Barden (Marlins)�drove in Phelps with a double into right field, and the USA was up, 2-0.
USA starter Mike Montgomery (Royals) pitched 5 innings, and he began his afternoon by retiring the first eight batters he faced.� He gave up a walk to SS Jonathan Malo and a single to 2B Pete Orr, but left them on base with an inning-ending strikeout.� Canada's biggest�threat of the game came�in the 4th inning, when former Pirate farmhand RF Jamie Romak led off with a single into left field.� DH Jimmy Van Ostrand tapped one back to the mound (it may have been a bunt), but Montgomery was quick enough to field the ball and whirl to throw to second base, forcing out Romak and leaving Van Ostrand at first.� After a strikeout, Montgomery�gave up a single to�3B Shawn Bowman, then loaded the bases with a walk to 1B Scott Thorman.� A strikeout�by C Cole Armstrong got Montgomery out of the jam, and Canada was still scoreless.
Montgomery retired the side in order again in the 5th, and he left the game having allowed 3 hits and 2 walks, with 8 strikeouts in his 5 scoreless innings.
Team USA added another run in the top of the 6th.� With one out, Mike Moustakas ripped a double down the right field line.� Moments later, 1B Eric Hosmer (Royals) drove Moustakas in with his own double into left field, picking up an RBI.� Hosmer collected another RBI in the top of the 9th, with a solo home run.
Bryan Henry (Diamondbacks) took the mound in the top of the 6th in relief of Montgomery.� Henry retired all 9 batters he faced in order -- two fly outs and a ground out in the 6th, three ground outs in the 7th, and three pop outs in the 8th.
Tim Collins (Royals) relieved Henry for the 9th inning.� He began by striking out Romak, then gave up a single to Van Ostrand and walked LF Adam Loewen.� With two runners on, Canada's final hopes were dashed when Collins got the next two batters to pop out, ending the game.�
Romak went 1-for-4 in the game.� Brad Eldred was hitless in 4 trips to the plate, and SS Chase d'Arnaud was hitless in his 3 at-bats.� Mike Moustakas led Team USA with 3 hits (he also singled in the 3rd but was left on base). Mike Trout had�2 hits (he singled in the 8th, but was out in a double play), and Eric Hosmer also had 2 hits and 2 RBI.
Team USA's final second round game will be on Monday, as they face Cuba.�
Team USA is the only undefeated team in the tournament, since Cuba lost to the Dominican Republic (9-6) on Saturday night.� Puerto Rico beat Nicaragua 5-1 on Saturday, and former Pirate Ramon Vasquez had both a single and a double in that game.�
