The end is near...

First the New England Patriots.
Now the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Perfection is hard to attain, and the Buccos won't reach it this spring after falling 5-2 to the Braves today at McKechnie Field in front of 2,994 fans - about 1,000 less than Wednesday's home opener. Man, if the Phillies and Braves can't draw a crowd, I wonder how deserted this place will be when the Netherlands team shows up for next week's WBC tune-up.

Side note - Braves pitcher Anthony Lerew, who threw today, grew up not far from Hanover, Pa., where I worked as a sports writer for three years. I interviewed him one night during a banquet. Nice kid.

The Pirates are back on the road Friday when they head to Kissimmee to face the Astros, then it's back to Bradenton beginning Sunday, when the Reds come marching in.

See ya then.