UVa @ GT

[GTNavyNuke]

Well, I don't know about this weekend. I thought we could get the sweep last weekend and we came close (Bailey error in the 9th turned out to be the difference in the second game).

UVa isn't nearly as good this year ... either pitching or hitting. But they were #1 RPI at the end of last year. So a fall off is expected. Here's a quote from the UVa site:
"Virginia-Georgia Tech Series
Georgia Tech holds a 69-49-2 series edge over Virginia, but UVa is 23-13-1 against the Yellow Jackets since the current coaching staff took over in 2004. Virginia has won four of its last five series against Georgia Tech, although the Yellow Jackets won two of three in 2013 in Atlanta." http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/040915aab.html

I'd like to think we can win the series, but the pitching doesn't support that being a rational view. Friday their ace, Kirby pitches http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?P=nathan-kirby. While King may only give up a couple runs, that could be too many. Then Saturday, we have Pitts and give up 5 or so against Jones (2.89 ERA). So that one is hard to say we should win. Finally Sunday, we have Gold against Waddell (3.79 ERA) and I think we take that one.

The best news is that the UVa pitchers are giving a lot more walks this year. If we can get on and steal a base or two, just maybe we can get the series win. Maybe I'm thinking UVa is like they were last year ......
2014 2.24 ERA; 2015 3.24 ERA
2014 358 OnBase%; 2015 330 OBP

Here's the GT side http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/040915aaa.html

 

[gtrower]

The UVA bats (from the games I've seen) aren't really there this year, and they have a ton of young guys in the lineup. Most likely outcome is 1-2 especially without Kel. I voted for 2-1 though, I think our pullpen is starting to come around - Parr and Gorst are starting to look like dependable middle relief guys.

 

[bensaysitathome]

It's going to be hard to get runs against their ace tonight. He has a damn good ERA, under 2.00.

I think Pitt's is going to require more help from Gorst and Parr, I feel like he doesn't have the same durability anymore. But I feel ok with pitching by committee, they're dependable as you said.

Like usual, I think our best bet is Sunday with Gold.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

How about Louisville? 7 game win streak (swept UVa last week) and going to Fluke this week. http://warrennolan.com/baseball/2015/schedule/Louisville

They look like the real deal. Their pitching top to bottom was the best we've seen this year. I hope we can beat them in the ACC Championships! (We have to make it first ..... to do that play 500 ACC ball from here on out .......)

 

[ibeattetris]

ESPN saying approximate start is 8:45. Looking forward to some night time baseball.

 

[ibeattetris]

Wheels have fallen off early in the third.

 

[McCamish Maniacs]

This game was a mess. UVA came to play

 

[GTNavyNuke]

Well, the good news is that our team is very resilient. Things can change greatly from day to day. Just put it behind us. The bad news is that we need to be after the worst beating of the year. The worst news is that we have Pitts starting today so that our great relief by Gorst and Ryan won't matter.

I didn't watch/listen since I was watching movies, so all my impressions are from GameTracker. I saw us go down 0-7 in the third and just checked back in toward the end. In summary, fielding dug us a whole that we couldn't afford given our weak pitching.

First, fielding had 2 errors. That was supposed to be our strong suit. We had two called errors in the third inning .... after a hit by pitch to start the inning. We don't have those errors and get the outs we were supposed to, we probably give up 3 runs rather than 7. I know the box score says only 2 unearned runs, but not getting the outs extends the inning a lot more than just the base runners who weren't thrown out.

Pitching - we used 5 pitchers. King at 5.2 innings threw 85-54 (64% strikes). 4 S0, 1 walk, 1 HBP. But gave up 9 hits in the 28 batters he faced. So it sounds like his control was ok, but UVa hit really well.

We used 4 other pitchers - not our best since they are being saved for a close game. P WIseman came in and gave up 3 more runs ... facing 5 batters and giving up 3 hits. Truly dismal. At that point the game was lost. So we saw Joe Wiseman, Phillips and Craport. If Pitts sucks today, either pull him after 2 hits or leave him in for 9 innings to adsorb the loss and don't burn any more pitchers (you can see why I'm not a coach!)

Hitting - Pretty good. In 38 at bats, we drew 9 walks and 8 SOs. And we got 8 hits. So we were able to get Kirby out after 5.1 innings having thrown 99 pitches. Our On Base % was close to 500 with 17 of 38 reaching base. And we hung 4 ER on Kirby in those 5.1 innings which is well above his <2 ERA going into the game.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

I'm not surprised we lost just that the game wasn't competitive. I'm sticking with my 1-2 guess.

Here are Pitts stats for today's game at 4PM. The 6.23 ERA and 1.59 WHIP means we are likely in for a long day unless Hall pulls him quick. I know my attention span will be quick to do something else if Hall doesn't pull him quick. I think we can win if we "only" give up 5 runs .......

Last weekend, Pitts had control but got hit hard - 3 doubles and a triple and a single giving up 4 ER in 4.1 innings. Threw 76-50 (66% strikes) and had 4 SO and only 2 walks. This may be Pitts last weekend start if it doesn't go well as Parr is a much more appealing choice right now. http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?P=cole-pitts

 

[GTNavyNuke]

Pitts just walked his second in the first inning. Pull him NOW!

Gave up a hit, SO, walk, pick off at third (Pabst great job), walk. No more patience. The season is more than half over and he's a senior. He ain't what he was, it's too bad, but Hall needs to do what's best for the team.

Update: Hit by pitch to load the bases. Should have pulled him earlier.

SO to end the inning. I still hope we don't see Pitts again. Pitts got lucky on a running error where Pabst threw out the runner at third. Not often you put 4 on in an inning and don't get scored on. 25 pitches in the inning with 10 strikes - 40% which sucks. But 6 strikes were on two SOs so we dodged a machine gun burst in that inning.

 

[Squints]

Pitts just walked his second in the first inning. Pull him NOW!

Gave up a hit, SO, walk, pick off at third (Pabst great job), walk. No more patience. The season is more than half over and he's a senior. He ain't what he was, it's too bad, but Hall needs to do what's best for the team.

Update: Hit by pitch to load the bases. Should have pulled him earlier.

SO to end the inning. I still hope we don't see Pitts again. Pitts got lucky on a running error where Pabst threw out the runner at third. Not often you put 4 on in an inning and don't get scored on. 25 pitches in the inning with 10 strikes - 40% which sucks. But 6 strikes were on two SOs so we dodged a machine gun burst in that inning.

Geez you need to relax with this. There's a difference between having a quick hook and not giving your pitcher a shot. You don't pull your pitcher after three batters. That's just dumb.

 

[Eric]

GT up 5-0.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

Wow,GT scores 5 in the first. A bunch of in field singles, 2 walks, error by UVa ...... sounds like us yesterday in the third.

UVa starter threw 49 pitches in one inning! We were very patient at the plate, just like yesterday, but we got the breaks today.

Two out and Pitts has man on 1st and third ..... dodge another bullet?

 

[GTNavyNuke]

Geez you need to relax with this. There's a difference between having a quick hook and not giving your pitcher a shot. You don't pull your pitcher after three batters. That's just dumb.

I agree it's dumb to pull him after 3 batters. My opinion is based on the 100 or so hitters he has seen this year. Maybe this time will be different.

Got the third out in the second. UVa has "only" left 5 on in two innings without scoring. We've been lucky today, unlike yesterday.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

Through 4, Pitts has had 9 left on. Lead off double by UVa to start the 5th. Then a Pitts walk. How will Pitts get out of this one?

Thankfully Hall is pulling him. And Gorst is coming in, no f'ing around now We really need this win for ACC standings. I could see pitching Gorst and Ryan if need be to get the win.

Pitts ended up 87-48 (55%).

Update: Gorst comes in with no outs and 2 on. Gives up a run but gets a pop out, Pabst throw out and SO. 5-1 to the bottom of the 5th. It's be nice to get some more runs.

 

[Eric]

5-1.

 

[ibeattetris]

Bats are alive in the sixth. 3 runs with 2 on and no outs.

 

[Eric]

7-1.

 

[Eric]

make that 9-1.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

11-4. B 7th. Wouldn't it be ironic if we were to win 14-4 today?

No need for Ryan now Keep Gorst in as long as he can throw strikes. Only 6 more outs ..... Gorst has given up more runs and thrown more strikes than Pitts...... baseball is a funny game. (A lot funnier when you win.)