Song of Salomon

Two games into the Pirates' series against the Cardinals, they've scored a total of two runs. Surprising? No, not for a team that was 17-48 on the road going into the series, which began with them facing a pitcher that is nearly untouchable against them, Chris Carpenter.

Not surprisingly, Carpenter, now 4-0 against the Pirates this year, shut them down on three hits. Surprisingly, however, the Pirates won the second game, tonight, 1-0, behind five shutout innings from the unpredictable Shawn Chacon, and a combined four innings from Matt Capps (winner, 6-1) and Salomon Torres (save, first).

Four years ago tonight, Torres returned to the Major Leagues for the first time since 1997, beginning a remarkable story that has not been widely reported. According to www.baseballlibrary.com, on September 2, 2002,

"Pittsburgh's Salomon Torres (1-0)‚ pitching in the majors for the first time since July 20‚ 1997‚ starts and goes 8.1 scoreless innings against the Braves. He also collects his first hit since 1994. as the Pirates win‚ 3-0. Torres‚ 30‚ retired as an active player in 1997 and served as Montreal's pitching coach in the Dominican Summer League before signing with Pittsburgh in January."

Is that a story? The Buccin' Ear thinks so. In fact, it's an incredible feature, worthy of Julio Franco attention, but of course it won't get it, because Torres happens to pitch in an ignored market for a last-place team.

Torres made his 81st appearance tonight, throwing two scoreless innings, and striking out two with the bases loaded en route to the saves. He's an old-school pitcher, unafraid to pitch when he's tired, and giving more than one inning when it is called for, which is likely to be the case this final month, with Mike Gonzales injured.

How valuable is Torres?Beyond the games and innings that he has sucked up, consider the experience of rookie Matt Capps, who has observed him all year. Tonight, Capps, a rookie, made his 73rd appearance of the year, pitching two innings. As Capps put it to the Post-Gazette, regarding breaking the number of appearances for a rookie Pirate reliever,

"It will just be awesome. You only get one year and one opportunity to be a rookie. To have something to call your own -- a record like that -- would be great."

Would he say that without observing Salomon? Not likely.

Torres has said he wants to stay with the Pirates, and he may have communicated that enthusiasm to Capps and his fellow relievers. If that is the case, he deserves appreciation beyond the smattering of applause that greets his entrances and exits. He's a special player.