The Return of the Team I Know and Love

Thoughts on today's game:

--Since I'm assuming Bucco management doesn't understand this, allow me to explain what the performance of today's starting pitcher makes abundantly--hear me, abundantly--clear. Gorzy must be shut down. The sooner, the better. The obscenely high pitch count today through 4 innings of work. The laborious manner in which he pitched coupled with his "gritty" but laborious effort in his last outing.
Look, I understand. Gorzy's been your most consistent pitcher all year. He has a winning record and even after today, great statistics for his first full year in the big leagues. I enjoy watching him pitch. In fact, it's precisely because I enjoy watching him pitch--and would like to continue to watch him pitch next summer--that I think it's in his best interests (health-wise) and the team's best interests (long-term, not to save your jobs, Mr. Littlefield and Mr. Tracy) to shut him down immediately.

--Speaking of this post's title, after a 2-4 debut and Adam Laroche still feeling the sting of yesterday's injury, Tracy chooses to sit Pearce. Look, I know he's a prospect who went from Single A to the majors this season. But, Mr. Tracy, Pearce made those jumps because he hit. You know, unlike the "veteran" players on your team who don't hit at a quality MLB level. Why do you bench a kid who plays the same position as Adam Laroche the day after he goes 2-4 in his big league debut? What did I miss? Because, seriously, if we're going to sit players who go 2-4 and hit the ball hard, I seriously begin to think we're trying to lose.
As an aside, Xavier Nady has absolutely no business playing on his gimpy hamstring. I admire his guts and gumption, but again, if you want a healthy Nady next season, seriously, he needs to sit, too.

--I love Freddy Sanchez, I really, really do, but even in the midst of a 3 for 5 day, I was wishing he would have gotten his hits at more opportune times. But really, being perturbed that Sanchez (I wasn't really perturbed; I still love him) for not going 5 for 5 only highlights a serious problem with my baseball team: We lack quality MLB hitters.

--Our pitching, from the starters to the bullpen, needs to be at the minimal level of "very good" for this non-August offense to win games. Also, the defense needs to be perfect. That's just how it is with the Pirates. With good pitching and good defense, the Pirates, despite their lack of legitimate MLB hitters, can win games. But, without, well such things....another loss, and a return to the team I know and love.