THE BULLPEN

     Hey batter, batter, batter, batter! Your Pittsburgh Pirates continue their homestand tonight as they battle the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park. Oh what a difference a week makes. It seems like only yesterday the Pirates where winning 8 straight, no one could score on them and they were just 4 back of St Louie. Now, everything has gone south. The Pirates have lost 5 of their last 6, scoring only 9 runs in the process, the pitching has fallen off the map and the defense is faltering while the Pirates have fallen 8 back in the NL Central. Mrs. Black-N-Gold is going to attempt to break down the keys to the game based on these 3 facets. 1)It last night's latest loss, 5-4 in 13 innings to Cincy, the Pirates were a putrid 4 for 13 with runners in scoring position, leaving 12 Bucs on the pond. Score early, score often, score BIG. Hit, Run & Score! 2)Last night the Bucs made 2 blunders in the field. In seasons past, the Pirates prided themselves on their defense. Not this year. Don't be afraid to flash a little leather. All you need is glove! 3)Atlanta will start rookie RH Williams Perez, 4-0, 2.78 ERA. The Pirates go with lefty Francisco Liriano, 4-6, 3.26 ERA. Frankie needs to step up and right the ship. Give 'em L, Frankie! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!