[vincesanity82]

Ian Snell took a beating Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies, then issued them a warning. Snell gave up a pair of two-run home runs in the Pirates' 5-3 loss against the Rockies. After the game, Snell said a teammate told him the Rockies were stealing signs.
"Hopefully, I won't pitch in Colorado, because I know who it is and I will get them," Snell said. "I'll get them next time. I'll see if I pitch against them. If not, I'll let the guy know it's a crock of you-know-what. I'll let it breeze over this time."
The Pirates play a four-game series in Denver next month. Because of off days and a doubleheader, it's hard to say for sure whether Snell will face the Rockies again.

"I will ... kill that dude," Snell said, his voice rising. "If I pitch, I swear, I'll get fined big-time." The Rockies laughed off Snell's accusation.
"It's ridiculous," outfielder Brad Hawpe said. "We didn't have that many guys at second base.''
And what if Snell follows up on his veiled threat to hit somebody with a pitch in Denver?
"That's his choice," Colorado first baseman Todd Helton said.
Hawpe and Helton belted the decisive homers. Hawpe's came in the fourth inning, while Matt Holliday was at second base, and gave the Rockies a 3-1 lead. Helton's shot came in the sixth, with Kazuo Matsui at second base.
"You can tell what was happening, because some of their hitters were moving up, moving back, moving around in the box, taking their time getting in the box, looking up at second base," Snell said. "I wasn't thinking about it then, but somebody told me later."
Snell would not say who he claimed stole signs, nor would he say who tipped him off it was happening.
"I don't think they were stealing signs," Pirates catcher Ronny Paulino said.
Snell (7-7) gave up just two home runs in his first nine starts this season. He's yielded seven over the past four games.
Regardless of whether the Rockies are guilty of sign-stealing, there were other things to raise Snell's ire. He got little offensive support and was let down by an awful defensive play in the third inning.
Troy Tulowitzki began the third with a blooper to shallow left-center field. Rajai Davis over-ran the ball, then slipped and fell on the wet grass. The ball plopped a foot or so behind Davis, and Tulowitzki got a cheap double.
Pirates manager Jim Tracy said the blunder was the result of "miscommunication" between Davis and left fielder Jason Bay.
With one out and Tulowitzki at third, the Pirates played the middle infielders in with pitcher Jeff Francis at the plate. It bit the Pirates when Francis grounded an RBI single past drawn-in shortstop Jack Wilson.
Solo home runs by Freddy Sanchez and Adam LaRoche made the final score seem closer than it should have been. Two runs? It might as well have been 200 for a team that is batting .221 and has held a lead for 3 1/2 innings in six games since the All-Star break
"The margin for error is so slight, you get in a mindset where you think about that," Tracy said. "That's what we've got going on right now."
In similar circumstances a month ago, Snell openly questioned his teammates' desire and commitment. Yesterday, however, he chose not to go that route.
"I don't want to say nothing that will get me in trouble, so I'll just take the blame for everything," Snell said. "Forget about the offense, defense, whatever. It's my fault."
Apparently, someone told Snell to muzzle the criticism of his teammates. The opposing team, however, still is fair game.
"It's all right," Snell said. "I'll get them next time."


Pirates slump reaches 6 games - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

[EmpireWF]

Snell better watch himself...I'm sure he was just in the heat of the moment.

Stealing signs isn't new or anything, if you don't like it, pitch better or tell an ump.

[azrael492]

Could somebody tell me why there is a big deal about stealing signs. They make the signs in code to hise them. If it was illegal, why do they have to disguise them. I hate hearing about this. It is a part of the game for as long as they have played it. Is it any different if the pitcher is dropping his shoulder when he throws a curve. Should the batter call time and say he can't hit because he knows a curveball is coming.

[Lefty Noob]

I tell ya what, the only way we get headlines these days is a guy like Torres or Snell flipping out about something.

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I tell ya what, the only way we get headlines these days is a guy like Torres or Snell flipping out about something.

I was just thinking that. In another thread about wilson's trade, they made it know he had an arguement before he was traded. Is it something in the water there???

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by azrael492

I was just thinking that. In another thread about wilson's trade, they made it know he had an arguement before he was traded. Is it something in the water there???

We're closing in on the Major League record for most consecutive losses. Of course there guys are gonna start getting ticked off, at least, they will if they have any pride at all. Plus it's coming out that the front office hasn't exactly been up front with some of them (Torres). The light at the end of the tunnel is that McClatchy's stepping down and hopefully Littlefield will get canned.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by azrael492

I was just thinking that. In another thread about wilson's trade, they made it know he had an arguement before he was traded. Is it something in the water there???

its like back when smoltzy and chipper got into it in atlanta, when your losing that many games in a row tensions start to flare..

[vincesanity82]

Contrition and discipline followed the Rockies from Pittsburgh on Thursday. Before Colorado faced Washington, Pirates starter Ian Snell called manager Clint Hurdle and apologized for his jarring comments after Wednesday's loss. "I thought it was very appropriate," Hurdle said. Snell vowed to "kill that dude" on the Rockies - a player he refused to name - for allegedly stealing signs from second base if he pitched against Colorado in August. -- Denver Post

The Denver Post - Pirates' Snell issues an act of contrition

[Kasey Kahne 9 fan]

Finally Intensisty I Love It And In Colorado! The Game This August Will Get Intresting!!!!