I like Xavier Paul.
Normally, panning Pirates’ GM Neal Huntington is as natural to me as rehab is to Lindsay Lohan. But damn, did I like Huntington’s waiver pickup of the former Dodgers’ OF, and I like it even more now.
Paul was but one of a long list of Pirates that contributed to arguably their best win of the season tonight: A 2-1, 12 inning triumph over the powerhouse Phillies, immediately offsetting the Buccos’ blown 7-0 lead in a crushing 9-8 loss to the Mets a night earlier.
1) The Pirates’ starting pitching continues to defy all logic, reasoning, and past history. Utili-arm SP Jeff Karstens went 7 strong against a juiced lineup, only giving up 4 hits and a run.
2) The Pirates’ bullpen worked 5 innings of only 2-hit ball after that (though manager Clint Hurdle continued his trend of pulling pitchers after single innings of work, despite not giving up any hits).
3) The Pirates’ defense was exceptional.
A reporter asks Cole to get a haircut; Image credit thirdbaseorbust.blogspot.com
4) Despite garnering only 5 hits the entire night against SP Cole Hamels and Co., the Buccos found a way to place a runner in scoring position in every extra frame, finally paying off in the 12th when OF Jose Tabata poked a groundball past a diving 2B Chase Utley, scoring Xavier Paul from 2nd, sending the black-and-gold contingent of 33,000+ into a frenzy, while the invasive specks of red flecked through the stands sat idly still. <– (That was all 1 sentence, but after a big win, big sentences are allowed.)
Even though the Pirates rushed from the bench to mob Tabata- while Paul oddly sat by himself in the dirt at home plate for a moment before running out and joining in- Paul single-handedly put them in position to win, singling with 2 outs in the 12th, and stealing second. It was a defining night for a waiver pickup that’s exceeded expectations during his brief stint with the Pirates.
The slugging hasn’t fully come around yet, but Paul is hitting .306 since coming over, with a scorching 1.136 OPS with runners in scoring position, and .835 with runners on. He has an above average arm, and plays both corner OF positions well. 7 years younger than OF Matt Diaz and almost $2,000,000 cheaper, hopefully Paul’s heroics thus far in June earn him a larger role.
But that can wait until tomorrow. Because right now, Xavier Paul is at your mom’s house. 2-1 Pirates’ victory over the
Coming to a mom's house near you; Image credit cbspittsburgh
cross-state Phils. Oh yeah.
Thanks for reading.