"Cutch Happens!"

(Peter Diana/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Okay I'm stealing my title from one Mr. Rocco Demaro who hosts Pirates extra innings after the radio broadcasts of the games. Last night after the Pirates provided me w/ my first of the season walk off win, Rocco coined the phrase "Cutch Happens." I like it! I like it a lot I say!

What started out as a semi-decent quality start by Ross Ohlendorf where he gave up 2 runs on 5 hits w/ 3 walks and 2 strike outs, turned out to be a nail bitter right down to the last batter! My theory of Pirate hitters unloading a ton of offense and scoring junk loads of runs in one game and then going cold fish in the next, seemed to be playing out rather well last night. Face the Indian's Ace pitcher, Cliff Lee, the Buc's bats were barly moving. Lee was rather effecient in is pitching; striking out a lot of my beloved bucs. But then came the 6th and the Pirates began to play small ball and it payed off; cutting the lead in half. The very next inning Lee seemed to lose his composure and gave up a game tieing score in when he walked McCutchen w/ the bases loaded. But the moment game in the Pirate's half of the 9th. Jack Wilson tempted fate and stole 3rd w/ one out. And young, dynamic Andrew McCutchen was staring down the Indian's bullpen hack w/ a 0-1 count, McCutchen sharply signled to left field to score the winning run!

After seeing this youngester in Spring Training and getting a chance to chat w/ him as he signed a ball for me, I knew he was going to be everything he as tauted as. As many blog posts and articles pointed out in the latter days of spring training, Andrew made it REALLY difficult for the front office to send him back to AAA. But Kyle Stark, Director of Player Developement, at a gut instinct that McCutchen needed a little more "seasoning" as they called it. And seasoning was completed in timely fashion! Not only can he hit, which he's now sporting a 13 day hitting streak, but he's fast as all get out, and because of that quickness, he's got center field LOCKED DOWN!

As I read blogger from around the net, reports and articles from baseball gurus and stat keepers, I'm seeing a trend in what all are saying. Each avenue of baseball news points to Andrew McCutchen only becoming a greater factor in the Pirate's drive to turn the page of losing to meaning baseball again in the Burgh!

If that can't get ya excited for Pirate's baseball consider this. A mear 160 miles or so, roughly 2 1/2 hrs., in a small country town of Altoona Pa rests a team called the Altoona Curve. This is very important because the Curve happen to be the AA Minor League team for the Pirates. Basically, Altoona is 2 stops away from PNC Park. Right now, as of this week, our #1, #2, and #3 hitting positional players prospects are all nestled in Altoona wearing Curve colors and perfecting more their skills at Blair County Ball Park (BCB). In most estimations, 2 of these players will be drilling pitches off the Clemente Wall in about 2 years. Combine that w/ our top pitching prospects are all either in AA or already in Indy at AAA and our #1 draft pick from 09 is already signed and in the system working on his skill-set, the Pirates are positioning themselves for greatness in the not so desent future!

It's a great time to be a Pirate's fan!! Ya better jump on the carvan now while there's still room cuz w/ Pedro hitting his second homer in as many games and w/ Brad Lincoln wiffing pitches past AAA hitters, the bus may fill up fast very soon!!

LET'S GO BUCS!