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	<channel>		<title>RUWT? News</title>
		<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com</link>
		<description>RUWT? News for Pittsburgh Pirates</description>
		<language>en-us</language>
		<copyright>Copyright 2006-2007 areyouwatchingthis.com</copyright>
		<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:19:22 GMT</lastBuildDate>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:19:22 GMT</pubDate>
		<generator>RUWT?</generator>

		
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				<title><![CDATA[Pirates designate Karstens, add RHP Jakubauskas]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[PITTSBURGH(AP) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates designated right-hander
Jeff Karstens for assignment and claimed right-hander Chris
Jakubauskas off waivers from Seattle.

The team made the moves on Friday.

Karstens was 4-6 with a 5.42 ERA. He was acquired from the
Yankees in 2008. Jakubauskas was 6-7 with a 5.32 ERA in 35 games
after unexpectedly making the majors at age 30.

The Pirates have 10 days to trade, release or send Karstens,
catcher Robinzon Diaz and left-hander Justin Thomas outright to
the minors.

Added to the 40-man roster were right-handers Ramon Aguero, Brad
Lincoln and Bryan Morris and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135987-Pirates-designate-Karstens-add-RHP-Jakubauskas</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/135987-Pirates-designate-Karstens-add-RHP-Jakubauskas</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:45:44 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[2B Iwamura hopes longtime losers can win soon]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By ALAN ROBINSON
AP Sports Writer

PITTSBURGH(AP) -- Akinori Iwamura apparently didn't check the
standings after being traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the
Pittsburgh Pirates.

Iwamura, acquired to be the Pirates' starting second baseman, is
hoping his new team can be a contender soon. Really.

"I know, of course, about Roberto Clemente and that it is a
great organization," Iwamura said after being traded from Tampa
Bay to Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

While Iwamura made it to the World Series with the Rays in 2008,
he might want to rein in his expectations a bit. The Pirates
lost 99 games during a major league-record 17th consecutive
losing season this year, and they've averaged nearly 96 losses
during the last five seasons.

Iwamura might be basing his optimism on the fact Tampa Bay went
from winning 66 games in 2007 to winning 97 and the AL pennant
in 2008, but the Rays had far more promising players ready for
the majors than the Pirates currently do.

The Pirates are gambling $4.85 million, plus right-handed
reliever Jesse Chavez, with the hope that Iwamura will heal from
the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that
sidelined him for three months this season. Iwamura, 30, played
the final month of the season despite not being fully healthy.

"It feels very good, but it's still not 100 percent," Iwamura
said, speaking through interpreter Yoshi Hasegawa, his agent.
"But I proved last year I can still play at a high level. I
think I can play just like I did in the World Series. It will be
fine next season, completely healthy."

The Pirates did not have a doctor examine Iwamura's knee before
making the trade, which the Rays needed to complete in a hurry.
They did not plan to pick up their option on Iwamura for 2010 -
a decision was due the day after the World Series ended - and
would have allowed him to become a free agent after paying him a
$550,000 buyout.

By making the trade, the Pirates didn't have to worry about
being outbid for Iwamura, but they also had to give up a pitcher
who led major league rookies with 73 appearances last season.

"It was tough to give up Jesse Chavez, but the bullpen is the
most difficult area to predict future performance," Pirates
general manager Neal Huntington said. "In our minds, it was much
more difficult to find 600 quality plate appearances than 60
relief performances."

Iwamura will replace Delwyn Young, who slumped offensively and
defensively after the Pirates traded All-Star second baseman
Freddy Sanchez to San Francisco in late July. Before dealing
him, the Pirates offered Sanchez approximately $10 million over
two seasons to remain with them, but he later signed with the
Giants for $12 million over two seasons.

Iwamura is unsigned past next season but is amenable to signing
a longer-term deal with the Pirates. He was a fan favorite in
the Tampa-St. Petersburg area, but the Rays got 27 homers and 91
RBIs from Ben Zobrist last season and they have more infield
prospects on the way.

Iwamura hit .290 with one homer and 22 RBIs in 69 games last
season. During the Rays' pennant-winning season in 2008, he hit
.274 with six homers and 48 RBIs. He has a .281 career average
with 104 RBIs and a .354 on-base percentage in 344 major league
games.

The Pirates have shed so many contracts in the last two seasons
- Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, Nate McLouth, Jack Wilson, Adam
LaRoche, Ian Snell, Sanchez - that Iwamura becomes the
highest-paid player. Their 2010 payroll would be in the mid-$30
million range if they don't pick up additional experienced
players, but that appears unlikely.

The trade was the first significant deal made by Huntington in
two-plus seasons in which the Pirates didn't give up veteran
players for prospects.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131326-2B-Iwamura-hopes-longtime-losers-can-win-soon</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131326-2B-Iwamura-hopes-longtime-losers-can-win-soon</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:21:18 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Rays trade 2B Iwamura to Pirates]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By FRED GOODALL
AP Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.(AP) -- The budget-conscious Tampa Bay Rays
saved some money and added some promising bullpen help Tuesday
night when they traded infielder Akinori Iwamura to the
Pittsburgh Pirates for right-hander Jesse Chavez.

The Rays held a $4.85 million option on Iwamura for next season,
but did not intend to pick it up because of the depth they have
at second base.

"We've got areas we really need to try to address," Rays
executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman
said, specifically mentioning the bullpen and catcher as
priorities this offseason.

Iwamura hit .290 with one homer and 22 RBIs in 69 games during
the final season of a $7.7 million, three-year contract he
signed after playing for the Yakalt Swallows in Japan. He signed
with the Rays as a free agent in December 2006.

The 30-year-old missed 81 games this season after sustaining
partial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in
his left knee. Once the Rays determined they were not going to
pick up his option for 2010, Friedman listened to offers for a
trade.

"Pittsburgh has been all over us for about a month," Friedman
said.

Chavez led Pittsburgh and all major league rookies with 73
appearances in 2009, going 1-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 67 1-3
innings. He was taken in the 42nd round in 2002 by Texas, and
made his major league debut with the Pirates with 15 appearances
in 2008.

The Rays believe the 26-year-old has the potential to develop
into an outstanding reliever.

"This year was a good year," Friedman said. "We feel like he has
the tools and ability to have an even better year."

Iwamura was a five-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove third
baseman in Japan. In three seasons in Tampa Bay, he batted .281
with 14 homers, 104 RBIs and 29 stolen bases while playing third
base for one year and second for the past two.

His unselfish transition from third to second base in 2008 - a
move that opened a position for All-Star Evan Longoria - was one
of the keys to Tampa Bay's transformation from a perennial
last-place team into AL champions.

"It is hard to put into words what Aki has meant to the
organization," Friedman said.

The Pirates badly needed a second baseman after trading NL
All-Star Freddy Sanchez to Giants before the trading deadline.

"He is a good athlete with above-average speed and is a tough
out with a solid career on-base percentage," Pirates general
manager Neal Huntington said. "Additionally, he played Gold
Glove-caliber third base for years in Japan and has made a
smooth transition to second base."

Pittsburgh takes on Iwamura's option, which the Pirates can pay
because their already low payroll was trimmed when they dealt
Sanchez, Adam LaRoche, Jack Wilson, Nate McLouth, Njyer Morgan
and Eric Hinske during the season.

Coming off a major league-record 17th consecutive losing season
in which they lost 99 games, the Pirates also needed to make a
move to at least appease a dwindling fan base that was angered
by yet another season of player departures.

Former Dodgers utilityman Delwyn Young filled in at second base
after Sanchez was traded, but struggled defensively and slumped
badly at the plate late in the season. The Pirates' top second
base prospect, Chase d'Arnaud, isn't close to being ready for
the majors.

---=

AP Sports Writer Alan Robinson in Pittsburgh contributed to this
report.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131116-Rays-trade-2B-Iwamura-to-Pirates</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/131116-Rays-trade-2B-Iwamura-to-Pirates</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:16:11 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Yates leaves Pirates, opts for free agency]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[PITTSBURGH(AP) -- Right-handed reliever Tyler Yates has chosen to
become a free agent after the Pittsburgh Pirates requested
outright waivers on him.

Yates had Tommy John surgery in July to replace a torn ulnar
collateral ligament in his right elbow for the second time in
his career. He is not expected to pitch again until the middle
of next season. Yates also had the ligament repaired in 2002 and
needed major shoulder surgery in 2005.

The Pirates apparently planned to offer Yates a minor league
contract, but he preferred to seek work in another organization.
Yates made $1.3 million this season.

Yates, 32, didn't pitch again after being placed on the disabled
list May 15 with a 7.50 ERA. He was 6-3 with a 4.66 ERA in 72
games with Pittsburgh in 2008.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/129135-Yates-leaves-Pirates-opts-for-free-agency</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/129135-Yates-leaves-Pirates-opts-for-free-agency</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:39:55 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Pirates take 3 pitchers off 40-man roster]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[PITTSBURGH(AP) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have removed
right-handers Denny Bautista, Chris Bootcheck and Craig Hansen
from their 40-man roster by sending them outright to Triple-A
Indianapolis.

Bootcheck elected to enter free agency and will not return to
the Pirates' organization.

Hansen was one of four players acquired by the Pirates in a
three-team trade with the Red Sox and Dodgers in July 2008. He
last pitched April 19 because of a nerve problem in his upper
back and has not resumed throwing.

Bootcheck, a former Angels reliever, had an 11.05 ERA in 13
games with Pittsburgh after spending most of the season as
Indianapolis' closer. Bautista was 0-1 with a 5.27 ERA in 14
games with the Pirates.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/127892-Pirates-take-3-pitchers-off-40-man-roster</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/127892-Pirates-take-3-pitchers-off-40-man-roster</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:53:33 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Pirates promote Searage to pitching coach]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[PITTSBURGH, Pa.(AP) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have named Ray
Searage pitching coach after two seasons in the same position
with Triple-A affiliate Indianapolis.

The team also says that first-base coach and infield instructor
Perry Hill will not return in 2010.

The 54-year-old Searage has been a pitching coach in the
Pirates' organization for seven seasons and recently completed
his 32nd year in professional baseball.

Searage played seven big league seasons with the New York Mets,
Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. He
started his coaching career in the St. Louis Cardinals' minor
league system in 1994.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/127085-Pirates-promote-Searage-to-pitching-coach</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/127085-Pirates-promote-Searage-to-pitching-coach</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:37:53 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Phillips drives in 3, Reds beat Pirates 6-0]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JOE KAY
AP Sports Writer

CINCINNATI(AP) -- The Reds' last man standing led them to one
final win.

Brandon Phillips - the lone Cincinnati regular who avoided the
disabled list in 2009 - drove in three runs Sunday, and Homer
Bailey shut out Pittsburgh for six innings, setting up a 6-0
victory as the NL Central's two forlorn franchises ended the
season together.

The Pirates finished their 17th straight losing season, while
the Reds completed their ninth in a row.

Phillips was the Reds' only regular starting player who wasn't
caught up in the run of nonstop injuries. He had an RBI double
in the first off Jeff Karstens (4-6), a run-scoring groundout
and another RBI double.

Phillips finished with 98 RBIs. He had a chance to get those
last two to reach 100, but grounded into a double play with the
bases loaded in the sixth.

"It was a great journey trying to get to 100. I just fell
short," Phillips said. "You learn from your mistakes. I had
plenty of chances early in the season. I'm happy with the year I
had. I'm very satisfied."

Bailey (8-5) finished his breakout season by improving to 4-0
career against the Pirates. The 23-year-old pitcher went 6-1
with a 1.70 ERA down the stretch, making him a top candidate for
next year's rotation.

"The way we've been playing the last month and a half made it a
lot easier for me to go out there," Bailey said. "I think
everybody here has a lot of confidence and a lot of potential,
but 'potential' means you haven't done anything."

The Pirates' 17 consecutive losing seasons are a record for a
major professional team in North America. They underwent another
near-total makeover at midseason and wound up losing 99 games
with a cast of young players that collapsed down the stretch.

After Pittsburgh moved out of the basement on Aug. 22 - a game
ahead of Cincinnati - the Pirates went 11-29 the rest of the
way, clinching last place.

They found an appropriate way to finish it - their 17th shutout
loss, the most in the majors.

"It was kind of the season wrapped up into a game," manager John
Russell said, referring to the 13 stranded runners. "It will be
a big emphasis next year - getting RBIs when they're out there."

The Reds extended their deepest slump in more than a
half-century, done in by the never-ending injuries that set up a
July meltdown. Four-fifths of the starting rotation and seven of
the eight opening-day regulars spent time on the disabled list.

Cincinnati finished on an upswing, winning 27 of its last 40
games to finish 78-84, four games better than last season.
Pitching coach Dick Pole was fired on Friday, but manager Dusty
Baker has one season remaining on his three-year deal.

The years of losing and the economic downturn took a toll on
attendance at Great American Ball Park. The Reds sold 1,747,919
tickets this season, their smallest gate since 1986.

NOTES: The Pirates led the majors with only 73 errors, fewest in
franchise history. The previous club mark was 83 in 2007. ...
Pittsburgh matched its franchise records by using 49 players,
including 26 pitchers, to get through another season of in-flux
lineups. ... FOX Sports Ohio broadcaster George Grande, who did
the Reds' television play-by-play for the last 17 years, opted
out of the final year of his contract to spend more time at
home. In the middle of the sixth inning, the fans gave an
extended standing ovation for Grande and Hal McCoy, the Dayton
Daily News baseball writer retiring after his 37th season. ...
Phillips' 98 RBIs were the second-most by a second baseman in
Reds history. Joe Morgan drove in 110 in 1976, when the Big Red
Machine won its second straight World Series title.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/124470-Phillips-drives-in-3-Reds-beat-Pirates-6-0</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/124470-Phillips-drives-in-3-Reds-beat-Pirates-6-0</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:25:08 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Pirates-Reds Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By ALAN FERGUSON
STATS Writer

Pittsburgh (62-97) at Cincinnati (76-84), 1:10 p.m. EDT

The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates will again have
losing seasons, but they're finishing in strong fashion.

The Reds and Pirates meet in the 2009 season finale Sunday at
the Great American Ball Park.

Cincinnati (77-84) is winding down its ninth straight losing
season, but also is searching for its 15th win in 21 games and
fourth straight series victory.

Improved hitting has played a large part in the Reds' surge as
they've averaged 5.5 runs per game since Sept. 12 while batting
.281 - a 35-point rise over their season average.

The Reds evened this series with an 8-4 win Saturday night as
Joey Votto homered and drove in three runs. Votto is batting
.423 with four homers and 15 RBIs in the past 20 games.

Pittsburgh has already set a record for major North American
sports leagues with its 17th consecutive losing campaign, but
the Pirates (62-98) will close out this year by attempting to
win their third straight series and seventh victory in 10 games.

Despite Saturday's loss, Pittsburgh's starters have a 3.00 ERA
over the last nine games, a marked improvement over their 4.58
ERA this season.

Jeff Karstens (4-5, 5.37 ERA) will get the start for the Pirates
in place of Kevin Hart, who has a strained rib cage. Pitching on
three days' rest, Karstens has a 3.38 ERA since returning to the
rotation Sept. 25 and earned his first win in nearly four months
Wednesday in Chicago.

The Pirates don't anticipate any problems with the short
turnaround after the right-hander threw just 61 pitches and
allowed two runs over five innings against the Cubs.

"It's been a long season. It's been a rough season," Karstens
told Pittsburgh's official Web site. "Just to come and try to
finish the season on a strong note would be really big for us
going into next year."

Karstens has lost both career starts against the Reds, including
5-0 May 3 in Pittsburgh, but is expected to pitch only three or
four innings Sunday.

Cincinnati will try for its 10th win in 11 games against
Pittsburgh behind Homer Bailey (7-5, 4.78), who has been one of
the majors' best pitchers over the last six weeks.

Bailey is 5-1 with a 1.89 ERA in eight starts since Aug. 23.
Only Seattle's Felix Hernandez and the Los Angeles Angels' Joe
Saunders have won more in that span.

Bailey will also try to earn his fourth career win without a
loss over the Pirates. The right-hander notched his only victory
over Pittsburgh in Cincinnati on Sept. 2, allowing three runs
over 6 1-3 innings.

He also won the first of consecutive starts Sept. 23 at PNC Park
by giving up two runs over six innings. Bailey, who is fighting
for a spot in next season's rotation, followed by yielding one
run over seven innings Tuesday against NL Central champion St.
Louis.

"He's pitching like he belongs here and believes that he belongs
here," manager Dusty Baker told the Reds' official Web site.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/124343-Pirates-Reds-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/124343-Pirates-Reds-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:00:20 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Votto, Rolen homer to help Reds beat Pirates]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[CINCINNATI(AP) -- Johnny Cueto had one last shot at finishing
.500. Joey Votto and Scott Rolen got him there.

Votto homered and drove in three runs and Rolen homered as the
Cincinnati Reds took advantage of Zach Duke's control problems
for an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.

Cueto (11-11) rebounded from a rough first inning to get the win
in his last start of the season. He allowed five hits and four
runs with four walks and six strikeouts in six innings.

"It was very important for me to finish at .500, but more
important was the team to win the game," Cueto said through
coach and interpreter Juan Lopez. "It was very important for me
to finish strong. I had a dead arm at one time, and I'm happy I
finished strong, and I'll relax for a month and then start
working out."

Manager Dusty Baker considered at least a .500 finish key for
Cueto, who went 9-14 last season.

"I think it's a psychological boost as much as anything," Baker
said. ""I gave him a goal this year of 15, and he was on pace
for that before he ran out of gas right at the All-Star break. I
give him the same goal for next year, and I don't see why he
can't make it.

Duke (11-16) walked a season-high five, one short of his career
high, while losing for the fifth time with just one win in his
last seven starts. He gave up six hits and five runs with two
strikeouts in five innings in what manager John Russell
considered to be an uncharacteristic outing.

"He wasn't missing by too much, and when he was missing, he was
missing down in the zone, which is the mark of a good pitcher,"
Russell said. "He wasn't sharp."

The Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Andrew
McCutchen drew a leadoff walk and scored on Andy LaRoche's
double into the left-field corner.

The Reds tied it in the second on Rolen's leadoff walk and
Darnell McDonald's one-out double to left field. Duke walked
three batters in the second to give him four in the first two
innings, as many as he had in five September starts.

"Obviously, my fastball command wasn't very good," Duke said.
"That led to the leadoff walk. I tried to limit the damage after
that, but I worked behind in the count too much."

Rolen snapped the tie on Duke's first pitch with two outs in the
third inning, hitting it 401 feet into the left-center field
seats for his first home run in 51 at-bats since Sept. 9 at
Colorado, and his third since being traded to the Reds by
Toronto on July 31.

The Reds added to the lead in a three-run fifth. McDonald scored
from third on a passed ball charged to catcher Jason Jaramillo,
and Votto added a two-run double.

The Pirates' Delwyn Young hit a 388-foot shot into the
right-field seats for his seventh homer in the sixth.

Cincinnati took a 7-4 lead in the sixth. Willy Taveras,
pinch-running after Ramon Hernandez led off with a double,
scored on Juan Francisco's pinch-hit double. Drew Stubbs
sacrificed, and Francisco scored on Paul Janish' suicide
squeeze.

Votto hit his 25th homer of the season - an opposite-field
380-foot solo shot into the left-field seats - in the
eighth.

NOTES: Duke finished 1-4 in five starts against Cincinnati this
season ... Reds 2B Brandon Phillips snapped a 0-for-16 slump
with an eighth-inning single to center field. ... Andrew
Claggett pitched the eighth, becoming the 49th different player
and 26th pitcher to play for Pittsburgh this season, tying
franchise records for players and pitchers used in a season. The
Pirates used 49 players in 1987 and 2001 and 26 pitchers last
season. ... The Pirates set a franchise record with their 100th
game of the season without an error.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/124310-Votto-Rolen-homer-to-help-Reds-beat-Pirates</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/124310-Votto-Rolen-homer-to-help-Reds-beat-Pirates</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:58:12 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Pirates-Reds Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By ALAN FERGUSON
STATS Writer

Pittsburgh (61-97) at Cincinnati (76-83), 7:10 p.m. EDT

The Pittsburgh Pirates have endured another miserable season,
but they're doing their best to end it in positive fashion.

The Pirates will attempt to win their third straight series and
earn their seventh victory in nine games Saturday night against
the Cincinnati Reds.

Pittsburgh (62-97) clinched its 17th consecutive losing season -
a record for major North American sports - earlier this month.
Instead of finishing out the string, the Pirates have started
winning and avoided their first 100-loss campaign since 2001
with Friday's 3-1 victory at Great American Ball Park.

Pittsburgh also snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Reds
as Andy LaRoche drove in two runs. Lastings Milledge also hit a
solo homer and saved a run with his backhanded catch on Joey
Votto's sinking liner to left field in the sixth inning.

"When all is said and done, (avoiding 100 losses) is important,
but we wanted to finish over .500 this last week or so,"
Milledge said. "A hundred losses or not, we wanted to finish
strong. We're all playing for a spot on the roster. No one has a
(guaranteed) job on this team."

Like his team, Zach Duke (11-15, 3.94 ERA) is trying to end a
rough season positively by avoiding a career high for losses
when he takes the mound. The left-hander took a step toward a
happy ending with his performance in Monday's 11-1 victory
against visiting Los Angeles

Duke came within one out of his fourth complete game this season
while allowing one run and four hits. He also struck out six and
walked one.

The only spoiler was manager John Russell's odd decision to pull
him from his first win since Aug. 22 - against Cincinnati -
after 103 pitches.

"I wanted (the complete game) pretty bad," Duke said. "I'm not
gonna lie."

To earn another victory, he'll likely need a better performance
against the Reds, who have beaten him twice this month. Duke has
a 6.00 ERA in those outings but is 2-1 with a 4.09 ERA in four
career starts in Cincinnati.

Attempting to earn their 13th win in 18 games, the Reds (76-84)
will go with Johnny Cueto (10-11, 4.35), who has won three
consecutive starts over the Pirates.

Cueto is 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA in seven career starts against
Pittsburgh, and looks to bounce back from his first loss in more
than six weeks.

The right-hander suffered the defeat Sunday in Houston, allowing
three runs over 7 1-3 innings of a 3-2 loss. Cueto had beaten
Pittsburgh twice in his previous four starts while posting a
2.95 ERA.

"He's shown big-time maturity this season," manager Dusty Baker
told the Reds' official Web site. "He started off great then hit
a bit of a lull. We have to monitor how much we pitch him (next
season)."

Cueto will not have Dick Pole to help him through this start as
the Reds fired their pitching coach before Friday's game. The
rest of Cincinnati's coaches are expected to return in their
same roles next season.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/124046-Pirates-Reds-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/124046-Pirates-Reds-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2009 03:42:11 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Pirates' McCutchen earns first major league win]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[CINCINNATI(AP) -- Rookie Daniel McCutchen needed six starts and
big assists from Lastings Milledge's bat and glove to break into
the win column.

McCutchen pitched into the seventh inning for his first major
league victory and Milledge homered and turned in a key
defensive play, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates past the
Cincinnati Reds 3-1 Friday night.

"I got some big plays behind me," McCutchen said with Milledge
sitting at the next cubicle in the visitors' clubhouse. "They
gave me a chance."

Pittsburgh was leading 3-0 when Paul Janish led off the sixth
inning with a double for the Reds. Joey Votto hit a sinking line
drive to left field that Milledge caught knee-high and
backhanded on a dead run.

"Defense is the thing I've taken the most pride in," Milledge
said. "I just tried to cut the ball off. I could have taken a
deeper route, but if it got past me, it would have only been a
double anyway, so I went after it."

Said McCutchen: "If he doesn't get it, it's a double, the run
scores and it's a completely different ballgame."

Reds manager Dusty Baker also was impressed.

"I didn't think he had a chance to catch it," Baker said. "It
was slicing away from him. It saved the game. That was the key
to the ballgame."

Andy LaRoche drove in two runs despite twice being thrown out
trying to stretch singles into doubles as the Pirates picked up
their fifth win in their last six games. The win guaranteed the
Pirates will avoid 100 losses.

"When all is said and done, it is important, but we wanted to
finish over .500 this last week or so," Milledge said. "A
hundred losses or not, we wanted to finish strong. We're all
playing for a spot on the roster. No one has a (guaranteed ) job
on this team."

McCutchen (1-2) made his major league debut with a no-decision
at Cincinnati on Aug. 31, and had been winless in five starts
for Pittsburgh. He held the Reds scoreless until Wladimir
Balentien's 467-foot home run.

"It shouldn't have taken six starts," McCutchen said. "I guess
the sixth time's the charm. It feels good to get it out of the
way."

Manager John Russell credited McCutchen's aggressiveness.

"The first nine hitters, McCutchen threw eight or nine
first-pitch strikes," Russell said. "We talked to him about
getting ahead of hitters. He's thrown the ball pretty well for
us. He just hasn't had a win."

McCutchen allowed four hits, walked two and struck out five.
Jesse Chavez finished the seventh, Joel Hanrahan pitched a
perfect eighth and Matt Capps closed for his 27th save.

Justin Lehr (5-3), starting in place of blister-plagued lefty
Matt Maloney, allowed three runs and four hits in six innings.

Pittsburgh took a 2-0 lead in the third on McCutchen's leadoff
walk, Andrew McCutchen's double and LaRoche's two-run single
into the left-field corner. LaRoche was nailed by Balentien at
second on the play - right fielder Jay Bruce threw out LaRoche
to end the eighth inning.

Milledge led off the fourth with his fourth homer of the season,
and third against the Reds.

The Reds had gone 20 consecutive scoreless innings before
Balentien homered.

NOTES: The Reds fired pitching coach Dick Pole before the game.
He was in his third season with the team. The rest of the
coaches will return in their same roles next season. ... Reds
LHP Arthur Rhodes will miss the rest of the season because of
broken left big toe he sustained Sept. 4. Rhodes is 1-1 with a
2.53 ERA in 66 games. ... RHP Jeff Karstens will start Sunday's
season finale for Pittsburgh. A rib cage injury will keep RHP
Kevin Hart, the unofficially projected starter, from making the
start. Karstens is 4-5 with a 5.37 ERA in 38 games, including 12
starts.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/124020-Pirates-McCutchen-earns-first-major-league-win</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/124020-Pirates-McCutchen-earns-first-major-league-win</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2009 02:46:23 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Pirates-Reds Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BRETT HUSTON
STATS Writer

Pittsburgh (61-97) at Cincinnati (76-82), 7:10 p.m. EDT

The Pittsburgh Pirates seem to be finding a few reasons for
optimism heading into next season. Figuring out how to beat the
Cincinnati Reds would be an additional step in the right
direction.

The Pirates will try to end an eight-game losing streak to the
Reds on Friday night when they wrap up the season with the first
of three games at Great American Ball Park.

Pittsburgh (61-97) clinched its 17th consecutive losing season
earlier this month, but instead of plummeting toward 100 losses,
it's shown some positive signs. The Pirates took three of four
from NL West-leading Los Angeles last weekend, then won two of
three from Chicago at Wrigley Field this week before Thursday's
finale was canceled by rain in the fourth inning with Pittsburgh
up 3-0.

"It's been a long season," said pitcher Jeff Karstens, who
earned a win in Game 2 of a doubleheader sweep Wednesday. "It's
been a rough season. Just to come and try to finish the season
on a strong note would be really big for us going into next
year."

The Pirates need one win in Cincinnati to avoid their first
100-loss season since 2001, but that could be challenging.
Pittsburgh has been outscored 56-22 during its skid to the Reds
(76-83), and a loss Friday would match its longest losing streak
to Cincinnati since May 18-Sept. 2, 1986.

Despite the Reds' success against the Pirates, they won't be
entering the series on a high note. St. Louis pitcher Chris
Carpenter hit a grand slam and drove in six runs Thursday in
Cincinnati's 13-0 loss, its largest margin of defeat by shutout
since falling 14-0 to New York on April 19, 1998.

"They beat us up pretty good," manager Dusty Baker said. "That's
the first time we've been beat up that bad in a while. They had
every kind of hit imaginable."

Justin Lehr (5-2, 5.46) will try to help the Reds bounce back as
he takes the mound looking to improve to 3-0 at home. Lehr's
latest outing came Saturday at Houston, as he gave up four runs
over five innings in a 10-4 win.

Lehr allowed four runs in six innings in a 11-5 win over
Pittsburgh on Sept. 1, but was also the last Reds pitcher to
lose to the Pirates. He surrendered six runs over five innings
in a 12-2 defeat at PNC Park on Aug. 22.

Pittsburgh rookie Daniel McCutchen (0-2, 4.80) will get a final
shot at his first major league win, and he looked good in his
last start despite leaving without a decision. He limited the
Dodgers to two runs over six innings Sunday in the Pirates' 6-5
victory.

McCutchen made his major league debut in Cincinnati on Aug. 31,
allowing three runs in six innings. He didn't get a decision in
the 4-3 loss.

Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips is hitting .415 with four
homers and 18 RBIs in 14 games against Pittsburgh.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123833-Pirates-Reds-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123833-Pirates-Reds-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:55:18 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Pirates-Cubs canceled by rain]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[CHICAGO(AP) -- Paul Maholm and the Pittsburgh Pirates were finally
on a little bit of a roll - in a game that ended up not
counting.

The Pirates at Chicago Cubs game Thursday night was called in
the top of the fourth inning after a rain delay of 2 hours, 32
minutes.

Home plate umpire Jim Wolf waved both teams off the field when
rain picked up during Garrett Jones' leadoff at-bat. The game
will not be made up because both teams have been eliminated from
postseason contention and there are just three games left in the
season.

The Pirates, leading 3-0, were two innings short of an official
game, which would have given them their first three-game winning
streak on the road since May 20, when they completed a sweep of
the Washington Nationals. The Pirates swept a doubleheader
against the Cubs on Wednesday.

Maholm, the Pirates' starter, had his season cut short with the
cancellation. He finished 8-9 with a 4.44 ERA, but was
disappointed they couldn't finish the game.

"I mean just for the fact that I felt good, we had the lead and
for us we need to win, we need to end on a positive note,"
Maholm said. "For us to play well yesterday and come out and
score three, it's disappointing."

Lastings Milledge had a home run to left - aided by 15 mph winds
- wiped out.

Only a few hundred fans waited the delay out, but all fans with
a ticket to the game will be refunded.

The long delay didn't sit well with Maholm.

"It was kind of getting ridiculous sitting around here forever,"
Maholm said. "But, everybody in here was wanting to go out and
finish the game and finish what we started."

Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija was tagged for three runs in the
first inning that won't show up in his stats. Samardzija has
split the season as a reliever and a starter for the Cubs and
also spent stints pitching for Triple-A Iowa. He finished 1-3
with a 7.53 ERA, but manager Lou Piniella has been encouraged
with him since he returned to the Cubs from Iowa. He allowed
three runs in five innings in his last start against Milwaukee
on Sept. 23.

The Cubs were not available after the game, but spoke highly of
Samardzija before the start.

"He's worked hard since we sent him down. I really like what we
saw the other day against Milwaukee," Piniella said. "(Pitching
coach) Larry Rothschild told me I would like the way how he
throws and I really did. He went out and competed, his delivery
was much smoother, he threw the ball on a downhill plane, his
ball had a little sharper break to it.".

Piniella said Samardzija will pitch in winter ball and he
expects him to compete for a spot in the starting rotation
during spring training.

"I think that's the consensus. He's been back and forth
according to the needs of the major league team," Piniella said.
"But I think now that we've seen him over the past couple of
years, in a different pieces, I think that's the consensus."

NOTES: Cubs 1B Derrek Lee was scratched from the lineup for
personal reasons. ... With a runner on third and two outs,
Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen made a diving catch on Jake Fox's
ball to end the inning.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123823-Pirates-Cubs-canceled-by-rain</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123823-Pirates-Cubs-canceled-by-rain</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:31:02 GMT</pubDate>
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			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Pirates-Cubs Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BRETT HUSTON
STATS Writer

Pittsburgh (59-97) at Chicago (82-74), 8:05 p.m. EDT

Considering the Pittsburgh Pirates had won three times in their
past 18 trips to Wrigley Field after dropping the opener of a
four-game series this week, it seemed the 97-loss club had a
good chance to leave town with an even 100.

Instead, they can equal their two-year win total on Chicago's
North Side in just two days.

The Pirates try to build on the momentum of a rare doubleheader
sweep Thursday night and win a third straight game at Wrigley
for the first time in more than seven years.

Heading into a four-game series against the first-place Los
Angeles Dodgers last week with 95 losses, Pittsburgh (61-97)
seemed destined for its first 100-loss season since 2001.
Instead, the Pirates won three of four from the Dodgers, and
after losing their opener to the Cubs (82-76) to fall to 3-15 in
Chicago since Sept. 21, 2007, swept a road doubleheader
Wednesday.

Charlie Morton was the story of Game 1, tossing a four-hitter in
Pittsburgh's 4-0 win for his first career complete game, while
Ryan Doumit's 4-for-4 performance and four RBIs sparked the
offense in an 8-2 victory in the second game.

"Hey, that's baseball," said Doumit, who hadn't had a four-hit
game since Sept. 5, 2008. "To have a day like this, I can't
remember the last time we won at Wrigley, let alone two games in
one day."

It was the Pirates' first road doubleheader sweep since Sept.
15, 1996, in San Francisco, and first at Wrigley since June 20,
1983.

Pittsburgh hasn't won three in a row on the road since May 18-20
at Washington, and hasn't won three consecutive road games
against the Cubs since taking four straight from Oct. 7,
2001-May 21, 2002.

Paul Maholm (8-9, 4.44 ERA) will make his final start for the
Pirates looking to build off three impressive outings where he's
gone 1-1 with a 2.14 ERA. Maholm gave up three runs and seven
hits over seven innings Saturday against the Dodgers, leaving
without a decision in an 8-4 loss.

Maholm is 3-1 in his career at Wrigley Field, but has an ugly
8.13 ERA in seven starts. Derrek Lee, who returned in Game 2 of
the doubleheader after missing the first game with a sore foot,
is hitting .333 against Maholm.

Lee is batting .359 with three homers and 14 RBIs against the
Pirates in 2009.

Jeff Samardzija (1-3, 7.53) takes the mound for the Cubs hoping
to make his case for a spot in the rotation - or at least the
bullpen - next season. He didn't do himself any favors in his
first career start Aug. 12, allowing seven runs in 3 1-3
innings, but pitched better Sept. 23 at Milwaukee. The
right-hander gave up three runs and five hits - two homers -
over five innings in a 3-2 loss.

"I thought he was much improved," manager Lou Piniella told the
Cubs' official Web site. "He's starting to look like a major
league pitcher. ... I was impressed. He has to keep working and
try to get better."

Samardzija hasn't allowed a run in 4 2-3 career innings of
relief against Pittsburgh.

Pirates third baseman Andy LaRoche went 1 for 9 in Wednesday's
doubleheader, but is still hitting .419 with three homers and
nine RBIs in his last seven games.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123576-Pirates-Cubs-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123576-Pirates-Cubs-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:56:42 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Pirates get rare DH sweep at Wrigley]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[CHICAGO(AP) -- Ryan Doumit and the Pittsburgh Pirates had a quite
a day at Wrigley Field.

Doumit collected four hits and four RBIs to help the Pirates
beat the Chicago Cubs 8-2 Wednesday night for a doubleheader
sweep.

"Hey, that's baseball," Doumit said. "To have a day like this, I
can't remember the last time we won at Wrigley, let alone two
games in one day."

The Pirates had won only once in Chicago this season, on May 25.
Their last doubleheader sweep at the Cubs' cozy ballpark was
June 20, 1983, before many of the current Pirates were born.

Jeff Karstens tossed five innings for the second victory by a
no-name Pittsburgh pitcher over a high-priced Cubs starter on
the day. A few hours before Karstens beat Carlos Zambrano,
Charlie Morton threw a four-hitter in a 4-0 victory over Ted
Lilly.

While Karstens and Morton make just over $400,000 each, the
combined 2009 salary of Zambrano and Lilly is $31.75 million -
or about $577,000 per start.

Doumit went 4 for 4 with his 10th homer in the second game.
Jason Jaramillo, who backs up Doumit at catcher, had a two-run
double in the opener.

"To sweep a doubleheader is tough anywhere, home or road,"
Pirates manager John Russell said. "To come in here and beat two
really good pitchers ... I'm really proud of the way the guys
battled."

Zambrano (9-7) gave up four runs and six hits with four walks
over six innings in his final outing of a frustrating season.
The right-hander failed to post double-digit victories for the
first time in his seven years as a full-time starter.

The leader of a rotation that had carried the Cubs to the 2007
and 2008 NL Central titles, Zambrano recently said he would
retire if he has a similar season next year - even though he
still would have two years left on his $91.5 million contract.

"Look, everybody expects more out of him," Cubs manager Lou
Piniella said. "Let's chalk this up as a season where he wasn't
at his best. He's talked about working hard and having a big
season next year."

Karstens (4-5), who has pitched mostly in relief this season,
allowed two runs and five hits. Morton (5-9) was dominant in the
opener, shutting down the same Chicago team that lit him up for
10 runs seven weeks earlier.

"I try not to put so much emphasis on one game," Morton said of
the 17-2 loss on Aug. 14. "But it's a big step in the sense
that, yeah, I came here and gave up 10 runs in an inning. This
time ... I was throwing pretty much everything for strikes. Just
being more aggressive with my pitches."

The 25-year-old right-hander, acquired in the June 3 trade that
sent Nate McLouth to Atlanta, had a career-high eight
strikeouts, walked three and hit two batters. Morton had never
thrown more than seven innings in a game.

"You take away the (Aug. 14) start," Russell said, "and his
numbers have been pretty good."

Morton had a 3.66 ERA in his other 17 starts.

Lilly (12-9) allowed five hits in seven innings and retired 19
of the last 21 batters he faced but still suffered his second
home loss this season. The Cubs' lone All-Star finished with a
team-best 3.10 ERA but recorded his fewest victories since 2005,
when he had 10 for Toronto.

"One (reason) I was brought here was to try to get this team to
the postseason and win some postseason games," said Lilly, who
in 2007 lost his only playoff start with the team. "I don't
really feel I've met expectations at this point. Maybe next year
will be different."

Lilly walked two of the game's first three batters before
Lastings Milledge singled to load the bases. Steve Pearce then
grounded to second baseman Andres Blanco, who shoveled to
shortstop Ryan Theriot for the second out.

Milledge slid hard and kicked his legs sideways, knocking down
Theriot as a run scored. Milledge was able to reach the bag with
his arms, so he wasn't called for leaving the baseline, but fans
still booed him the rest of the day.

"A clean play," Theriot said. "Take guys out ... that's how you
play the game. I'd do the same thing."

Jaramillo followed with his double to make it 3-0 and Brian
Bixler singled home a run on the next pitch.

Pittsburgh struck first again in the nightcap, with Andrew
McCutchen hitting a leadoff triple and scoring on Milledge's
single. The Pirates added three more in the third on Doumit's
two-run double and Brandon Moss' single. Doumit's RBI single in
the seventh helped break open the game, and he went deep in the
ninth.

NOTES: Before Wednesday, the Pirates had been 3-15 at Wrigley
since Sept. 21, 2007. ... Zambrano went 2-5 with a 5.03 ERA in
13 home starts. He was 7-2 with a 2.73 ERA on the road. ... The
Cubs went over the 3 million attendance mark for the sixth
straight season. ... Pittsburgh pitchers have allowed only one
home run in the last 10 games. ... Zach Duke has the Pirates'
only other shutout this year. ... Cubs 1B Derrek Lee, who fouled
a ball off his foot Tuesday, sat out the first game. After
X-rays showed no damage, he played in the second.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123556-Pirates-get-rare-DH-sweep-at-Wrigley</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123556-Pirates-get-rare-DH-sweep-at-Wrigley</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:03:04 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Pirates' Morton shuts down Cubs in 4-0 win]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[CHICAGO(AP) -- Drawing on his previous Wrigley Field experience,
Charlie Morton knew exactly what not to do.

Don't fall behind batters, don't pitch timidly, don't panic. And
this time, he didn't.

Seven weeks after getting lit up for 10 runs by the Cubs, Morton
pitched a four-hitter as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated Chicago
4-0 Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader.

"I try not to put so much emphasis on one game," he said of his
performance in the 17-2 loss on Aug. 14. "But it's a big step in
the sense that, yeah, I came here and gave up 10 runs in an
inning.

"This time ... I was throwing pretty much everything for
strikes, more than I have been. Just being more aggressive with
my pitches."

Morton (5-9), a 25-year-old right-hander who hadn't pitched more
than seven innings in a game, also set a career high with eight
strikeouts. Acquired in the June 3 trade that sent Nate McLouth
to Atlanta, he walked three and hit two batters. Ryan Theriot
had three of the Cubs' hits, including two infield singles.

"To pitch a complete-game shutout, obviously you've got some
things going on. He used his off-speed pitches very well and he
didn't get behind very often," Pirates manager John Russell
said. "You take away the start he had here, and his numbers have
been pretty good."

Morton, who had a 3.66 ERA in his other 17 starts, was supported
Wednesday by four first-inning runs against Cubs ace Ted Lilly.

Lilly (12-9) allowed five hits in seven innings and retired 19
of the last 21 batters he faced but still suffered only his
second home loss this season. The Cubs' lone All-Star Game
representative finished with a team-best 3.10 ERA but recorded
his fewest victories since 2005, when he had 10 for Toronto.

Though manager Lou Piniella called Lilly "our best pitcher," the
left-hander said the season was unsatisfying because the Cubs
failed to win a third consecutive NL Central title.

"One (reason) I was brought here was to try to get this team to
the postseason and win some postseason games," said Lilly, who
in 2007 lost his only playoff start with the team. "I don't
really feel I've met expectations at this point. Maybe next year
will be different."

Lilly walked two of the game's first three batters and gave up a
single to Lastings Milledge, loading the bases. Steve Pearce
then grounded to second baseman Andres Blanco, who shoveled to
shortstop Theriot for the inning's second out.

As Theriot came off the base to his left, Milledge slid hard and
kicked his legs sideways, knocking the shortstop to the ground
as a run scored. Milledge was able to reach the bag with his
arms, so he wasn't called for leaving the baseline, but fans
still booed him the rest of the game.

"It was a clean play," Theriot said. "Take guys out ... that's
how you play the game. I'd do the same thing."

Said Milledge: "A lot of us are playing for spots next year. We
can't afford to back off. I play the game hard."

Jason Jaramillo followed with a two-run double to make it 3-0
and Brian Bixler singled home a run on the next pitch.

NOTES: Because it was a makeup for an Aug. 16 rainout, the
actual crowd was small. But the paid attendance of 34,362 put
the Cubs over the 3 million mark for the sixth straight season.
... The Pirates had been 3-15 at Wrigley dating back to Sept.
21, 2007. ... Pittsburgh pitchers have allowed only one home run
in the last nine games. ... Cubs 3B Jeff Baker batted third for
the first time since Chicago acquired him from Colorado on July
2. He went 0 for 4 but is still hitting .307 with the Cubs. ...
Zach Duke had the Pirates' only other shutout this year.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123459-Pirates-Morton-shuts-down-Cubs-in-4-0-win</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123459-Pirates-Morton-shuts-down-Cubs-in-4-0-win</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:23:25 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Pirates-Cubs Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By ALAN FERGUSON
STATS Writer

Pittsburgh (59-96) at Chicago (81-74), 8:05 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Cubs are playing some of their best baseball of the
year. Unfortunately, that surge has come too late to make the
postseason.

Having clinched three straight winning seasons for the first
time in 37 years, the Cubs will try to add a couple more
victories in Tuesday's day-night doubleheader against the woeful
Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Cubs (82-74) earned their seventh win in nine games with a
6-0 victory Monday. Derrek Lee, Jeff Baker and Micah Hoffpauir
each drove in two runs to support Ryan Dempster's third career
shutout, a five-hitter.

The win allowed Chicago to clinch its third consecutive winning
season - a first since 1967-72 and first under one manager since
1933-37 with Charlie Grimm. However, Colorado's home win over
Milwaukee later that night eliminated the Cubs from the playoff
race and extended their World Series title drought to 101
seasons.

"Just because you're out of it, it doesn't mean you have to give
up," Dempster told Chicago's official Web site. "We're still
playing with a lot of pride."

Ted Lilly (12-8, 3.02 ERA), who will take the mound for the Cubs
in the opener, has been arguably their top starter this season
and is 3-0 with a 1.30 ERA in four starts this month. The
left-hander has a 1.53 ERA in his last seven outings, but did
not get a decision Sept. 18 in St. Louis despite allowing two
runs and five hits over 7 2-3 innings of Chicago's 3-2 loss.

Lilly was given some extra days off because of tendinitis in his
throwing shoulder. He's 3-1 with a 2.73 ERA in his last four
matchups against Pittsburgh.

Carlos Zambrano (9-6, 3.69) will start the finale and try to
build on his best outing of the season. The right-hander threw a
two-hitter for his fourth career shutout in Chicago's 3-0
victory Friday in San Francisco and moved one win away from his
seventh consecutive season with at least 10.

Zambrano will also search for his fifth straight win over the
Pirates since Sept. 8, 2007. He's 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA in two
matchups against them this year.

Pittsburgh (59-97) has dropped 17 of its last 18 on the road and
will go with Charlie Morton (4-9, 5.01) in the first game
followed by Jeff Karstens (3-5, 5.45). The Pirates, who have a
major league-worst 19-56 road record, are heading toward their
first 100-loss season since 2001.

If Morton repeats his previous start at Wrigley Field, the
Pirates are all but assured of another defeat. The right-hander
was tagged for a career-high 10 runs with seven hits and three
walks in one-plus inning in a 17-2 loss on Aug. 14 as the Cubs
set season highs for runs and hits (18).

Morton has dropped five straight away from home, posting a 10.13
ERA in those outings. He's 2-7 with a 5.69 ERA in his last 10
overall starts and 0-2 with a 37.80 ERA in two lifetime matchups
against the Cubs.

Making his first start since June 5, Karstens allowed one run
and three hits over three innings Friday in the Pirates' 3-1
loss to Los Angeles. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 5.00 ERA in
two career starts against the Cubs, winning at Wrigley on Aug.
1, 2008 by throwing six scoreless innings in Pittsburgh's 3-0
victory.

The Cubs have shut down pitchers Kevin Gregg and Angel Guzman
and left fielder Alfonso Soriano for the season. Third baseman
Aramis Ramirez could join them, as he didn't start Tuesday
because of discomfort in his left shoulder.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123350-Pirates-Cubs-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123350-Pirates-Cubs-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:51:33 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Pirates-Cubs Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By ALAN FERGUSON
STATS Writer

Pittsburgh (59-96) at Chicago (81-74), 2:05 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Cubs are playing some of their best baseball of the
year. Unfortunately, that surge has come too late to make the
postseason.

Having clinched three straight winning seasons for the first
time in 37 years, the Cubs will try to add a couple more
victories in Tuesday's day-night doubleheader against the woeful
Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Cubs (82-74) earned their seventh win in nine games with a
6-0 victory Monday. Derrek Lee, Jeff Baker and Micah Hoffpauir
each drove in two runs to support Ryan Dempster's third career
shutout, a five-hitter.

The win allowed Chicago to clinch its third consecutive winning
season - a first since 1967-72 and first under one manager since
1933-37 with Charlie Grimm. However, Colorado's home win over
Milwaukee later that night eliminated the Cubs from the playoff
race and extended their World Series title drought to 101
seasons.

"Just because you're out of it, it doesn't mean you have to give
up," Dempster told Chicago's official Web site. "We're still
playing with a lot of pride."

Ted Lilly (12-8, 3.02 ERA), who will take the mound for the Cubs
in the opener, has been arguably their top starter this season
and is 3-0 with a 1.30 ERA in four starts this month. The
left-hander has a 1.53 ERA in his last seven outings, but did
not get a decision Sept. 18 in St. Louis despite allowing two
runs and five hits over 7 2-3 innings of Chicago's 3-2 loss.

Lilly was given some extra days off because of tendinitis in his
throwing shoulder. He's 3-1 with a 2.73 ERA in his last four
matchups against Pittsburgh.

Carlos Zambrano (9-6, 3.69) will start the finale and try to
build on his best outing of the season. The right-hander threw a
two-hitter for his fourth career shutout in Chicago's 3-0
victory Friday in San Francisco and moved one win away from his
seventh consecutive season with at least 10.

Zambrano will also search for his fifth straight win over the
Pirates since Sept. 8, 2007. He's 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA in two
matchups against them this year.

Pittsburgh (59-97) has dropped 17 of its last 18 on the road and
will go with Charlie Morton (4-9, 5.01) in the first game
followed by Jeff Karstens (3-5, 5.45). The Pirates, who have a
major league-worst 19-56 road record, are heading toward their
first 100-loss season since 2001.

If Morton repeats his previous start at Wrigley Field, the
Pirates are all but assured of another defeat. The right-hander
was tagged for a career-high 10 runs with seven hits and three
walks in one-plus inning in a 17-2 loss on Aug. 14 as the Cubs
set season highs for runs and hits (18).

Morton has dropped five straight away from home, posting a 10.13
ERA in those outings. He's 2-7 with a 5.69 ERA in his last 10
overall starts and 0-2 with a 37.80 ERA in two lifetime matchups
against the Cubs.

Making his first start since June 5, Karstens allowed one run
and three hits over three innings Friday in the Pirates' 3-1
loss to Los Angeles. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 5.00 ERA in
two career starts against the Cubs, winning at Wrigley on Aug.
1, 2008 by throwing six scoreless innings in Pittsburgh's 3-0
victory.

The Cubs have shut down pitchers Kevin Gregg and Angel Guzman
and left fielder Alfonso Soriano for the season. Third baseman
Aramis Ramirez could join them, as he didn't start Tuesday
because of discomfort in his left shoulder.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123348-Pirates-Cubs-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123348-Pirates-Cubs-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:47:20 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Dempster pitches five-hitter to lead Cubs]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[CHICAGO(AP) -- Ryan Dempster isn't ready to shut it down.

Dempster pitched a five-hitter for his third career shutout,
Jeff Baker had a two-run double and the Chicago Cubs beat the
Pittsburgh Pirates 6-0 on Tuesday night.

Derrek Lee added a two-run single for the Cubs, who have won
seven of nine but were eliminated from the playoff race when the
Colorado Rockies beat Milwaukee later Tuesday.

The Cubs (82-74) guaranteed a winning record for the third
straight season. It's only the second time in the last 70 years
the Cubs have had three or more consecutive winning seasons.

Dempster struck out six and walked two. He retired the ninth
inning in order to record his first shutout since July 3, 2001,
against the Montreal Expos, when he was a member of the Florida
Marlins.

"It's unfortunate the season is coming to an end because I feel
stronger than I did earlier in the year," Dempster said.

With the victory, Dempster (11-8) became the second active
pitcher with at least 87 wins and 87 saves. John Smoltz has 213
wins and 154 saves.

Dempster is 5-1 in his last six decisions and makes his last
start Sunday against the Diamondbacks. Cubs manager Lou Piniella
believes Dempster is benefiting from the time he spent on the
disabled list in July with a broken toe.

"He's gotten better and better as the year worn down. He really
has," Piniella said. "He's pitching basically like the way he
did last year. I thought he would have a nice strong finish
because when he hurt his toe he (the disabled list time) really
freshen up his arm."

Dempster has not allowed an earned run in his last 26 innings at
Wrigley Field and his recent performance resembles his 17-6
season in 2008.

"Tonight, Dempster had all his pitches working. A good
split-finger, a good slider and good life on his fastball. He
went the distance," Pineilla said.

Pirates starter Kevin Hart (4-9) made his second start against
his former team since being acquired from the Cubs in a
five-player deal July 30. The troubles continued from the first
inning for Hart, who is 1-8 in 10 starts since being acquired
from the Cubs.

The Pirates, who were shutout for the 17th time this season,
have dropped 17 of their last 18 road games.

Ryan Theriot led off the first inning with a walk off Hart, then
went to third on Kosuke Fukudome's double. One out later, Micah
Hoffpauir hit a bouncer to first baseman Garrett Jones. Jones
made a low a flip to Hart, who was running to first to cover the
base but Hart dropped the ball and was charged with an error as
Theriot scored. Baker followed with a two-run double to give the
Cubs an early 3-0 lead.

After Pirates second baseman Delwyn Young committed the Pirates'
third error of the game to load the bases in the fourth inning,
Lee hit a two-run single and Hoffpauir drove in a run on a
fielder's choice.

"We played terrible behind him. He was misfiring, but he
battled. We make some plays, it's a lot different line score for
him," Pirates manager John Russell said. "He made some
adjustments. I thought that after the first inning he settled in
and started throwing better. Again, we played so bad behind him
it's a tough read."

Hart allowed six runs, three earned, on six hits in four innings
after the Pirates came off a series of winning three of four
from the Dodgers.

"It was one of those freak nights. It's tough," Hart said. "We
played a really good series against L.A. and we wanted to carry
it over and finish this season really strong. It's tough to come
in and do what we did tonight."

NOTES: Before the game, Piniella took exception to a column
questioning his passion as a manager. "We work exceedingly hard
here as a staff and if you want to stick around and be here 'til
1 O'clock, 1:30 in the morning, when the parking lot is closed
when we're having meetings on how to get our team better you
will see that we're very interested and take a lot of pride in
what we do," he said. ... Cubs reliever Kevin Gregg is out of
for the season with cracked rib cartilage. ... Cubs 3B Aramis
Ramirez missed the game with a sore shoulder. ... The Pirates
claimed right-handed reliever Anthony Claggett off waivers from
the New York Yankees. ... The Cubs last had six consecutive
winning seasons between 1967-72. ... According to the Pirates
Web site, the club will retain pitching coach Joe Kerrigan for
the 2010 season and will relieve Rich Donnelly from his duties
of baseball operations adviser.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123300-Dempster-pitches-five-hitter-to-lead-Cubs</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123300-Dempster-pitches-five-hitter-to-lead-Cubs</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:02:56 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Pirates-Cubs Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
STATS Writer

Pittsburgh (58-96) at Chicago (81-74), 8:05 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Cubs came into the season expecting to compete for
their first pennant since 1945. With one week remaining, they're
still trying to guarantee they'll finish above .500.

The Cubs look to clinch a winning record for the third straight
season Tuesday night when they face the last-place Pittsburgh
Pirates in the opener of a four-game set at Wrigley Field.

Chicago (81-74) won the last two NL Central titles and finished
with the best record in the league in 2008. The Cubs were
optimistic they could build on those finishes and get back to
the World Series in 2009, but injuries and poor play have caused
them to fall well short of that goal.

"We came into this season with more expectations, and they
weren't realized," manager Lou Piniella told the Cubs' official
Web site. "It's not as easy to win as people think it is. You've
got to stay healthy - that's the big thing in today's game.

The Cubs won six of seven before falling 5-1 to San Francisco on
Sunday. They'll try again for win No. 82 in the opener of a
season-ending seven-game homestand. A victory would give them
three straight winning finishes for the first time since a
streak of six from 1967-72.

The Cubs haven't accomplished that feat under the same manager
since the 1930s under Charlie Grimm.

"It's been that long?" Piniella said. "Hopefully, this will be
the start of more success and winning seasons and more success
for this organization."

Piniella will turn to Ryan Dempster (10-8, 3.68 ERA), who has
also struggled to recapture last year's form. The right-hander
was 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA in 2008.

However, Dempster has shown some improvement in his last four
starts, going 2-0 with a 2.15 ERA. That stretch began with a
Sept. 8 win over the Pirates in which he allowed four runs in 6
1-3 innings.

Dempster was solid again Thursday, yielding two runs in seven
innings against San Francisco. Chicago gave him one run of
support, and Dempster did not get a decision in the 3-2 win.

Chicago has won 26 of its last 32 meetings with Pittsburgh,
including nine of 11 this season. The Cubs have also dominated
their division rivals at Wrigley, winning 14 of 17 since Sept.
21, 2007.

The Pirates are finishing their major league-record 17th
consecutive season with a losing record, but Monday's 11-1
victory over Los Angeles gave them a series win against the NL
West leaders.

The Pirates will give the ball to Kevin Hart (4-8, 5.38), who is
1-7 with a 6.93 ERA in nine starts since being acquired from the
Cubs in a five-player deal July 30.

The right-hander's only win as a Pirate came against Milwaukee
on Aug. 17. He's lost six consecutive starts since, posting a
7.31 ERA.

Hart was tagged again Wednesday, surrendering eight runs and
eight hits with three walks in 4 1-3 innings of a 12-2 loss to
Cincinnati.

He didn't fare well in his first start against his former club
Sept. 9, giving up four runs and six hits with six walks in five
innings of an 8-5 defeat in Pittsburgh.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[mlb]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123055-Pirates-Cubs-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/mlb/news/123055-Pirates-Cubs-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:32:33 GMT</pubDate>
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