THE BULLPEN

     Happy Bucs & Pucks Day! Cincinnati, W-K-R-P! Our Pittsburgh Pirates continue their series in Cincy with the Reds tonight. These are your keys for tonight's game. 1)The Bucs surrendered 3 home runs on their way to a 3-2 loss in last night's opener. Sure all 3 barely cleared the fence. Sure they were solo shots. But it was still enough to beat an offense that only produced 2 runs on 5 hits by going 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. It seems like only yesterday Mrs. Black-N-Gold was preaching the virtues of not leaving any Bucs on the pond. Bring 'em on home! 2)RH Juan Nicasio, 3-3, 3.16 ERA will start for the Bucs. He'll face Cincy RH Alfredo Simon, 1-3, 9.86 ERA. Last time the Buccos faced Chicken Alfredo, they touched him up for 3 runs on 6 hits with 4 walks and a home run over 4 innings in a 5-1 Pirates win. Simon says Hit, Run & Score! 3)The Bucs had a rare chance to make up some ground on the 1st place Cubs last night when Chicago's game was postponed. The Pirates now sit 8 games back in the NL Central. To win the division, you have to beat the division! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!