Pirates Notebook: Nutting 'mixed' on team's first quarter
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On the January day when Bob Nutting became the Pirates' principal owner, he stressed accountability at all levels of the organization.
So, what has he thought of the team at the quarter pole of the 2007 season?
In a nutshell: More offense needed.
"I think everyone has mixed feelings," Nutting said. "We've had some bright spots. You have to be pleased with the starting pitching, for the most part, particularly our top four. Some of these guys are exceeding expectations. Our offense, unfortunately, has spoken for itself. But we're starting to swing the bats a little better recently, and I believe that's going to come."
The Pirates' opening quarter ended Friday with a 19-22 record, a six-game improvement over 2006.
"Overall, we're much better than this point last season, but we're still not playing up to our potential," he said. "I'm optimistic we're going to do that."
One area in which the Pirates have declined is attendance. They averaged 18,754 through 21 home games, down from 20,977 at the same point a year ago.
"I'm concerned with it and not satisfied, obviously, but there have been a number of factors," Nutting said. "Clearly, the season tickets are down, coming off an All-Star year. The weather has been a significant factor, too. It's been a remarkably cold start."
The Pirates' season-ticket base is 20 percent smaller, largely, no doubt, because the lure of All-Star Game tickets was lost.
"But I think we've got a great staff at the stadium, and I believe we're doing everything we can on the ticketing side," Nutting continued. "So, I'm not worried. And, frankly, I'm pleased that our fans have been as supportive as they have been. As our team continues to improve, I think the numbers will increase."
Duffy down and out
Center fielder Chris Duffy, hitless in his past 13 at-bats, was benched last night and likely will not play today, either.
"He's hit into some very tough luck," manager Jim Tracy said. "He's hit a lot of line drives that have been caught, and we're just giving him a day or so to regroup."
During Duffy's hitless stretch, he has lined out five times. But that alone does not explain a batting average that, after a strong start, has fallen to .220. Nor a meager .283 on-base percentage, a key statistic for leadoff men. Nor those 29 strikeouts against just 12 walks.
"We're not seeing the numbers you'd like in that leadoff spot," Tracy said. "But that's where he belongs. To have him hitting eighth, it doesn't make sense. He's the type of hitter who should be at the top of the order."
Big Unit's return
Randy Johnson will pitch in Pittsburgh today for the first time since Aug. 26, 2004, a night when Jack Wilson and Jason Bay hit back-to-back home runs against him in the seventh inning to beat Arizona, 2-1.
Johnson, who spent the past two seasons with the New York Yankees and beat the Pirates at Yankee Stadium in 2005, slowly is regaining form after offseason back surgery. He is 1-2 with a 4.80 ERA in five starts, including a terrific outing Tuesday in Denver, where he one-hit the Colorado Rockies and struck out nine.
"Obviously, he's older," Tracy said of Johnson, 43. "But he's still the same competitor I saw for years out on the West Coast. He might not be going 115 pitches, but it's still no day at the beach getting into that box against him, especially for a left-handed hitter."
Expect the Pirates to go heavily right-handed today.
Buried treasure
Shortstop Jack Wilson was out again because of his sprained right shoulder, but he declared himself "a little better" after 20 minutes of long-tossing. He probably will not start today, either, because the off day tomorrow would give him three days of rest.
Nate McLouth took Duffy's place and Don Kelly took Wilson's place, each making his third start of the season.
INDIANAPOLIS (25-16) won at Buffalo, 6-0. LHP Sean Burnett (4-3, 3.81) pitched six shutout innings and allowed three hits. He struck out three and walked five. RHP Franquelis Osoria (2.45) and RHP Jesse Chavez (2.59) combined for three perfect innings of relief. 1B Yurendell DeCaster (.344) went 3 for 4 with an RBI and a walk. RF Luis Matos (.283) went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs.
ALTOONA (19-19) lost to Bowie, 8-4. RHP Luis Munoz (5-1, 2.68) allowed six runs, five earned, in seven innings. 3B Neil Walker (.278), CF Andrew McCutchen (.180) and 1B Steve Pearce (.298) each went 1 for 4, McCutchen drawing a walk.
LYNCHBURG (16-21) won at Winston-Salem, 8-7. RHP Todd Redmond (3-3, 4.68) allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings. RF Jamie Romak (.227) hit his seventh home run and went 1 for 4.
HICKORY (16-23) won at Augusta, 3-0. RHP Serguey Linares (1-0, 0.00) pitched six shutout innings and allowed five hits for his first professional victory. RF Jonel Pacheco (.281) went 2 for 4 with an RBI.
First Published May 19, 2007 11:00 pm
