Rookies get rude reception in opener
PITTSBURGH— Between them, Brian Bixler and Evan Meek had a combined three games of major league experience entering the Pittsburgh Pirates' home opener Monday at PNC Park.
Neither had a memorable experience that day.
As the Pirates' last available position player — not counting catcher Ronny Paulino — Bixler was called upon to pinch-run for Ryan Doumit in the bottom of the ninth inning of an 8-8 game.
Bixler was wearing a Pirates uniform because shortstop Jack Wilson was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday.
"You never know what's going to happen in baseball,"Bixler said before Monday's game. "I wasn't even down there (Class AAAIndianapolis) a week and I got the call. That's unusual.
"I'm just here to help the team win any way I can."
Not on this day.
Doumit doubled to lead off the ninth before being replaced by Bixler. Xavier Nady grounded out to second, advancing Bixler to third.
After an unintentional walk put runners at first and third, Jose Bautista laid down an unexpected bunt toward first base. Chicago first baseman Derrek Lee was playing even with the bag, charged forward to field the bunt and tagged Bautista out.
Bixler took two steps down the line and returned to third base.
"Our hitters have the green light to bunt in that situation if they see a chance to score the run,"Pirates manager John Russell said. "Unfortunately, our runner froze on the play.
"If he (Bixler) breaks immediately, the game's over."
Bautista said there is no signal from the batter to the baserunner in that situation.
"It was my decision to bunt," he said. "I can't explain what happened on the other end."
Because the Pirates didn't score there, the game wound up going 12 innings and Russell exhausted his bullpen — except for Meek.While Bixler's lone action in the big leagues before Monday was striking out as a pinch-hitter the day before, Meek, a Rule 5 draft selection from Tampa Bay's farm system, had allowed four earned runs in one official inning in two previous appearances this year.Because Zach Duke pinch-hit for Matt Capps in the bottom of the 11th, Meek entered the game in the 12th as the Pirates' last available relief pitcher."It was a situation he probably wasn't ready for,"Russell admitted.Five walks — two intentional — and a sacrifice fly against Meek enabled the Chicago Cubs to score two runs on no hits in the 12th and post a 10-8 victory.Meek sat and stared at his locker stall for 15 minutes before speaking with the media."I was way too tentative out there," he said. "You have to throw strikes. You have to compete. I didn't do either. I'll definitely learn from this."A pitcher has to rely on his defense. I gave our defense no shot."But don't count on Meek's confidence being shot."I want to get back out there tomorrow," he said. "You have good days, you have bad days."
