Hayden Penn, RH Dave Williams, LH
(0-0, 3.60) (5-5, 3.75)
CF R Nivar RF M Lawton
2B C Gomez C R Doumit
3B M Mora 3B R Mackowiak
SS M Tejada LF J Bay
RF S Sosa 1B D Ward
LF B Surhoff 2B J Castillo
1B J Gibbons CF T Redman
C S Fasano SS J Wilson
P H Penn P D Williams
I want to quickly mention the addition of Bucs Dugout to SB Nation. Quite an opportunistic time for me to do so, so I believe this to be word that SB Nation, like all of baseball, now revolves around the mighty Orioles. Hurrah!
I also want to thank you guys for the great comments on the Mazz post, and keep them coming!
Game time is 7:05 on CSN and FSN Pittsburgh.
Dave Williams showed some potential in 2001 and over ten games (six starts) last year, and has been quietly very effective for the Pirates this year. A 17th round pick in 1998 out of Delaware Tech Community College. He's Alaskan-born and didn't make the club in 2003 because of injuries.
His line this year isn't stellar, but it is quite solid: 3.75 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, .235 BAA, 40 K in 60 IP.
I question Hayden Penn remaining in the major league rotation after a couple of laboring starts against the Tigers and Red Sox. I wouldn't mind seeing John Maine get a start instead of Penn tonight, because I think it's clear that while Penn certainly has talent, he is by no means ready for the big leagues. I realize it's still just a look at the potential future of the rotation, but we've gotten the look, and in my estimation, a conclusion has been reached.
Brian Roberts may be back tonight, but it's all wait-and-see. Mazz doesn't seem to want to rush this, and I applaud that.