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Monday, April 26, 2010
HOUSTON — A historic loss. A horrific injury. Five straight defeats. Cranky backs, queasy stomachs and weary arms. A flurry of roster moves. Jeers, tears and prayers.
The Pirates packed what seemed like a season's worth of turmoil into five days last week.
"It was tough. It was hectic," manager John Russell said.
It was much worse than that. It was the week from hell.
"Oh, my gosh, yes, it was," reliever D.J. Carrasco said. "In a full season, there will be a lot of trials and tribulations. The younger guys will learn how to get through days like this — but you just don't want them to turn into weeks."
Pirate pitcher Zach Duke hangs his head after giving up a home run to the Milwaukee Brewers.
File
Actually, the week began on a positive note, with a 5-1 victory to clinch a series sweep against the Cincinnati Reds.
It turned out to be the last time the Pirates held a lead until yesterday, when they had a 1-0 edge for one-half inning against the Houston Astros.
"It started off well against the Reds," third baseman Andy LaRoche said. "Even though I wasn't playing, it was still exciting to watch those games. It went downhill from there."
LaRoche missed six games due to back spasms. He joined right-hander Ross Ohlendorf, whose back locked up so badly he was forced onto the 15-day disabled list.
The Milwaukee Brewers knocked the Pirates a game under .500 by winning three games in a row, including a 20-0 laugher Thursday. When the Brewers scored 19, fed-up fans at PNC Park chanted, "One more run!"
In more ways than just the score, it was the worst loss in the franchise's 124-year history.
Thursday's game was fourth-worst shutout loss in the majors since 1900. By outscoring the Pirates 36-1, the Brewers became just the fourth National League team since 1900 to win a three-game set by at least 35 runs.
"The Milwaukee series was embarrassing, and we finished it with a game we're all trying to forget," LaRoche said.
The run of blowout losses meant short outings for the starting pitchers, which burdened the bullpen. Righty Chris Jakubauskas was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Saturday against the Houston Astros.
"A fresh arm," said Carrasco, who's pitched in eight of the first 17 games. "We were hoping that Jakubauskas would go deep into the game, but — pow! — right off the bat ..."
On his 12th pitch, Jakubauskas was nailed in the head by a line drive. He left the field on a motorized cart, but, miraculously, sustained only a concussion and bruises.
"It's scary," pitcher Daniel McCutchen said. "It brings you back to this is just a game and how important other things are."
The Pirates' clubhouse was quiet Sunday morning. On the surface, things seemed normal — a few guys played cards, others crashed on the couches in front of the television, and Octavio Dotel sang along loudly with a Spanish-language pop tune.
"We have to regroup," said catcher Jason Jaramillo, who the night before dropped to a knee at home plate and prayed as Jakubauskas writhed in pain. "I know we'll be fine. It's going to show what kind of character we have."
However, reliever Brandon Donnelly, a seven-year veteran who's played pro ball since 1992, sensed tension in the room.
"Right now, it's hard to stay up," Donnelly said. "It seems like everybody is sitting back, waiting for one person to do something. That's not going to happen. We need everybody to do something, even if it's the little things, to win."
Donnelly smiled when someone asked if there's truth to the cliche about losing building character.
"When you're winning, things are easy," Donnelly said. "When you're losing, you find out who you are. Right now, we're doing some soul-searching and finding a way to fight."
More Pirates headlines
Morton hit hard as Pirates fall to Astros, 10-3
Pirates farm system report
Players shaken up by Jaku's injury
Jakubauskas put on 15-day disabled list
Cubs club Brewers to complete sweep
Pirates drop sixth game in a row, fall into last place
Pressure at bats require next level
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