Pirates 4 Reds 0- Well, that was quick

Freddy Sanchez lead off tonight with a homer. That was all Paul Maholm needed as he went 8 scoreless allowing only 4 hits (and four walks) while striking out 8, including a stretch where he set down Aureilla, Dunn, and Kearns down on strikes with only 11 pitches in one inning. The whole game only took about 2 and 1/2 hours. I suppose he's officially challenging Duke for the Alpha-lefty rookie status on the team for next year's rotation. Whatever the case, with four solid outings to begin his career, I think we can safely pencil him in under Duke for next year's rotation.

Sanchez's leadoff homer was all we needed, but it wasn't all we got. In fact just two batters later Jason Bay sent #30 out of the park and picked up another RBI later in the night to put him just 11 shy of 100. Jack Wilson knocked our final run in with a sac fly and picked up another hit to put him almost to .260 on the year. The win brings our season total to 60, only three shy of the 63 needed to avoid 100 losses. I would safely say that 100 losses will be averted, but if I've learned one thing this year it's that it's a mistake to assume ANYTHING with this team.