Pirates Reaching Lower Depths

After Monday's extra-innings loss to the Padres the Pirates moved yet one more game closer toward 100 losses. They are 56-92 and need to finish 7-7 over their final 14 to avoid losing 100 games for the first time since 2000. Pittsburgh is losing at an alarming rate. Consider these numbers:

• 13-36 in their last 49
• 3-17 over their last 20
• 2-11 over their last 13
• They haven't won two in a row since winning five consecutive games from August 17-22
• Expound these numbers over 162 games and it's a 1962 Mets-like 40-122

It's an incredibly terrible run of baseball and there's little reason to believe improvement is coming in 2010. By the way, here's a look at how some of the former Pirates have performed since leaving Major League Baseball's version of Purgatory.

• Tom Gorzelanny-Cubs-3-1/5.04 ERA/11 games/5 starts/32 strikeouts in 30 innings
  
• John Grabow-Cubs-25 games/20 innings/2.21 ERA/13 strikeouts/11 walks/12 hits
  
• Adam Laroche-Braves-.350/12 homers/33 RBI in 45 games
  
• Nate Mclouth-Braves-.278/9 homers/32 RBI in 72 games
  
• Nyjer Morgan-'Nats-.351 24 stolen bases-finished season at .307 with 74 runs in 120 games
  
• Freddy Sanchez-Giants-.284/2 extra base hits in 25 games
  
• Ian Snell-Seattle-5-2/4.53 ERA-beat the Yankees in his last outing
• Jack Wilson-Seattle-.224 six extra base hits in 31 games

It's a mixed bag of success and mediocrity with Laroche, Mclouth and Morgan performing above their previous levels in Pittsburgh, especially Laroche. Sanchez and Wilson have been hurt for much of the time since being traded. Morgan is out for the year after getting off to a great start in Washington. Gorzelanny and Snell both spent time in the minors.

On The Steelers

A few thoughts about the Steelers' loss to Chicago.

• Sunday's loss at Chicago wasn't all that unexpected. It was Chicago's home opener; the Bears were under great pressure after a terrible game at Green Bay; and the Steelers played without Troy Polamalu. That said the win was there for them, if they just convert a field goal or two.
• Jeff Reed was due to miss. The guy has been automatic for much of his career and sooner or later he's not going to make the big kicks. That's just how it goes for kickers. It happens with the best of them. If Reed is one of the best in the game-and I believe he is-he'll rebound.
• The sack of Big Ben on third and eight from the Chicago 11 early in the fourth quarter was huge. It turned a short field goal in to a 38 yard. Ben was working out of the shotgun and has to get rid of the ball. Period.
• So Rasheed Mendenhall gains 39 yards on one carry and then he's shutdown? What's the deal with that? Why not go back to him? Willie Parker seems to have one foot out the door and the Steelers need to find out more about Mendenhall.
• Give the Bears' coaching staff credit for making adjustments. The Steelers dominated the first quarter and much of the first half. But Chicago made some changes and they worked. Steeler coaches are always credited for making great moves on the run; now it's time to recognize that the other guys can do that too and be successful.
• Why did the Steelers draft Frank "The Tank" Summers? He can't block; hasn't done anything on special teams; and they don't run the fullback. So tell me again why is he on the team?
• It would be nice if the pass rush showed up this season. Two sacks through two games isn't getting it done.