Dunio : Identity of the 2013 Pirates

shin.jpg Last night's shutout victory over the Cincinnati Reds mayhave been a defining moment of the season. It also may be an indication thatthe Pittsburgh Pirates now feel like they belong in the NL Central divisionrace.

The Pirates have played second fiddle to the Cardinals andReds for several years. We've watched the Reds bully the lowly Pirates andwe've watched the Pirates roll over and take it. Those days, however, seem tobe behind us. The Pirates aren't going to take it anymore.

In consecutive seasons, the Reds have been throwing atPirates star Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen was drilled in the back by Cincinnatipitcher Mike Leake again Monday night. After Aroldis Chapman almost decapitatedNeil Walker with a 99 MPH fastball, the Pirates were just waiting for theiropportunity to send a message back to the schoolyard bully.

Last night, Charlie Morton drilled Shin-soo Chin in hisChin-Soo Shin on the first pitch of the ballgame. Reds starting pitcher MatLatos was obviously displeased as he yelled at Morton from the dugout.

Yelling from the dugout was all the Reds did to "standup for themselves" as the Pirates put an exclamation point on the victoryby shutting out the Reds.

The Pirates appear to have an identity for the first time ina long time. Veteran leaders like AJ Burnett and Russell Martin have a lot todo with the tough guy mentality this team possesses. That same leadership willbe a significant reason this club will continue to win ballgames and refuse to be bullied.

With that kind of mental toughness, expect this team to still be in contention in September.Regardless, the final 2 games of this series will be fun to watch.

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