Pirates put on a clinic in Cincinnati

The Pirates put on a baseball clinic in front of the Reds and their fans at GABP this afternoon. The Reds definitely looked the part of the novice in the 10-2 Pittsburgh win.

Pirates outfielder Nyjer Morgan especially put on a show, going 3-for-4 with a triple, 2 stolen bases, and 2 runs scored. Morgan plays an old school game - wearing his pants and stirrups high - put on a clinic of how to run the bases hard. Yes, stirrups... those things that Jamie Moyer wears. Nyjer barreled into Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez, a man who outweighs him by a good 50 pounds, to score a run. Morgan also took out Alex Gonzalez to break up a double play - not dirty baserunning - good baserunning.

Pirates hurler Paul Maholm set the tone for the game. Maholm gave up only 3 hits in 7 innings of work.

The Pittsburgh baseball clinic extended beyond the realm of baserunning and pitching and into situational hitting. They seemed to move runners along effortlessly and hit homeruns with men on base. Nate McLouth hit a 2-run homer in the first off of Cueto and Ryan Doumit knocked a grand slam in the ninth off of a severely struggling Mike Lincoln who’s ERA currently stands at 34.71.

Brandon Phillips scored both of the Cincinnati runs. Phillips went 2-for-3 in the game collecting a base-on-balls and a stolen base.

Jay Bruce knocked in Phillips both times for 2 RBI and made an awesome throw from right to nail a runner at home – déjà vu from Opening Day. The game ended, however, on a Bruce baserunning blunder.

My view from the stands on Opening Day

I love baseball, everything about it. Even when it’s played in bad weather. Even the annoying folks that seem to always find a seat next to mine. Here’s what I’m talking about, I’m sure some people like this have sat next to you before.

My vantage point: top row (yes, the VERY top), halfway between home and first.

To my left: a teenage girl who proclaimed while putting on her rain poncho, although we were under the overhang, that this was “the worst day ever.” She texted the entire game.

To my right: a forty-something couple, who seemed to show up just to be seen halfway through the first inning. They packed up their stuff and left by the end of the third. They didn’t say a word to me or each other.

In front of me: This is great. Such a typical bandwagon fan. I wish I could convey the character as good as Diamond Hoggers. Here it is. Guy wearing a backwards Cubs hat and matching Chicago Cubs hooded sweatshirt (yes, the newest model - fresh out of MLB.com). The guy stands clapping throughout the entire introduction of the Mets starting lineup. Remember, the Reds aren’t playing the Cubs. Every time Johan Santana took the mound at the bottom of an inning, the Cubs/Mets fan shouted, “Here we go Johan, no hitter baby!” When Santana came up to bat, the fan encouraged him with, “Here we go Johan, home run baby!”

Happy New Year! The season has begun!