PITTSBURGH -- The last time I saw CR grad Ian Snell pitch live, he was in Pawtucket, R.I., pitching for Class AAA Indianapolis last May. What impressed me that night was how electric Snell's fastball was. He blew away the Pawtucket lineup with a fastball that consistently hit 95-96 mph.
Fast forward almost a year, and the Snell I saw tonight is a more complete pitcher.
Granted, the Phillies haven't exactly been clicking offensively. But they have a strong lineup, filled with the sort of left-handed hitters that have been teeing off on Snell. Still, he baffled Ryan Howard and Co., with an assortment of pitches, including a nasty changeup that offset the blazing fastball.
As impressive was the confidence he showed me during his postgame interviews with the media. Regardless of his numbers so far this season, Snell thinks he's good, and, as evidenced by Gavin Floyd's problems for the Phils, that's half the battle.
Bottom line is this: If Snell pitches like this, with conviction and confidence, he can be dominant at this level.
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On the Phillies front, tonight had to be a low for the season, thus far.
At first glance, tonight's game appeared to be a mismatch. Emerging ace Brett Myers facing the struggling Snell ... the Pirates riding a 7-game losing streak and off to a worse start than the 1962 Mets.
And here come the Phillies, laying a giant egg at PNC Park.
If Charlie Manuel wasn't owed so much money for the next two seasons, he'd be gone already (not that it's all his fault). But the Phils don't like to eat that much cash. I can't imagine them hiring an expensive manager like Lou Piniella and paying off Charlie.
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Finally, PNC Park is beautiful. If you've never been here, plan a trip. It's worth it.
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