Unbelievable

Before I say anything else on this ball game, I will start by telling all of you that this is the second classic I have witnessed. The first came back in 2004, where on July 1st, the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 in 13 innings. This, of course, was where captain Derek Jeter made his infamous dive into the stands on a pop up. No contest, however, kept me on the edge of my seat quite like this one.

I know I've seen better comebacks. Actually, I guarantee I have. Back in 2006, the Bronx Bombers were down 10-0 before grinding out a victory against the Texas Rangers (yes, I watch a lot of Yankee games). On a short note, look who started that game; none other then Shawn Chacon himself! Lovely. Anyway, what was most impressive about Saturday's comeback was the "adversity" and challenges that are and have plagued the Bucs for more then a decade. Yes, my friends, you are in for a long blog post.

The Yankees, being my ultimate born-into favorite team, have always had the force to drive any club they put on the field into a comeback... no that force is not only their used money. Whether it was the fans or the coaches - someone or something was always driving New York to greatness. Where as Pittsburgh... is Pittsburgh. As much as I hate to reiterate this in my posts, I love the Pirates, but ragging on them allows me to continue being a fan. Sarcasm in sports is the best.

They lose, and they lose, and they do some more losing. I remember back in June of last year, I was saying "gosh golly, we're heading into the All-Star break down from .500 by only six games!!!" Sad when fans are happy about the fact that their team is ten games or less from the even mark. This team has lost its share of games, 49 to be exact, but the victories and comebacks for that matter have thus far out-shined the defeats.

29,387 were in attendance for my homie Yoslan Herrera's first Major League start. After walking Ryan Ludwick, Herrera struck out Albert Pujols and Rick Ankiel in the first inning. He also loaded the bases with no outs in the second frame, but a pop out and a double play started by Yoslan left the Cards with nothing to show. It was a beaut two-inning debut for Herrera; if only it had ended there.

Jason Bay hit his first of two homeruns in the first, giving Herrera some early support. As with most pitchers we have seen the Bucs throwing out there, Yoslan struggled to get out of the third, fourth, and eventually his last inning the fifth. Herrera left with runners on following a 4 1/3 inning performance. It was rough, especially with a line consisting of 11 hits, 6 runs, and 4 walks. I kid you not however - Herrera showed signs that he could be a good, solid starting pitcher someday. Christ, the man came from Altoona for god sakes!

St. Louis scored in every inning up until the eighth, as the game was quickly slipping away from the Buccaneers. The 'Burgh was getting little snippets of run support here and there, as a homer from Adam LaRoche and an RBI from Jose Bautista edged the team to a 10-4 score.

Bay went yard for the second time in the eighth, and as crazy as I am, I thought just maybe... just maybe these guys could pull something off. Well, they did. How - I still have not concluded. But, Nate The Great lead the charge in the bottom of the ninth with a three-run homerun that made the score 10-9, as the Pirates were now down just one. Oh, and as I said months ago, Nate is truly a god. The blast came of former closer Jason Isringhausen, who seems to be at the edge of his rope. 

After singles by Luis Rivas and Ryan Doumit put runners at first and third, Jason Bay's crappy fielder's choice dribbler scored the tying run and gave hope to the little fans still in attendance and watching at home. Still, the drama was not done yet, as Denny Bautista was slapped right in the face by third baseman Troy Glaus, who belted a dinger to left in the 10th. Back in 2004, when the Red Sox took that late lead against the Yanks, I had no doubt NY was still going to pull away with it. Unfortunately, on July 12, 2008 - there was more brewing then just doubt in this Pirate fan's belly.

No matter, because as they have done time and time again this year, the Bucs stunned me, the press, and the rest of the baseball world with a dramatic bottom to the 11th. Raul Chavez busted a single through the left infield side to give his team the base runner they needed. While I'd say his game-tying grand slam against St. Louis was pretty dramatic, Jason Michaels' walk off bomb this evening had a little more humpf to it. Thanks to Michaels really - in some crazy, hectic, chaotic, and wonderful way - the Pirates won. The Pirates were victorious. My oh my. 

I don't give a damn on how much ESPN covers it. I don't really care if I open the papers tomorrow to see the same small box that is always there covering the Pirates' game. In my small basement hang out downstairs, I watched the unbelievable take place. As Sir Steve Blass noted, no matter what their final record is, this Pirates team will be remembered for its grit and fight to stage the comeback.

Next on TBB: Tomorrow afternoon, Ian Snell (3-7) will get the Sunday morning call to start the last game prior to the All-Star break. It would be smart to rest Mr. Mclouth, as the Buccos only All-Star has a huge week awaiting for him in New York. Till then.