Pirates

The fans were bored because the Phillies were winning big, but boredom is preferable to apathy these days. So the wave started Monday in the seventh inning of an 8-3 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the toxic atmosphere that has invaded a ballpark for much of this season eroded. It's a long way to relevancy for the Phillies. Nights like Monday made it look easier. Or, as Chase Utley - mere days away from returning - said beforehand, "All it takes is one good bounce our way and things can change.

At Citizens Bank Park. Monday at 7:05 p.m. Pittsburgh LHP Erik Bedard (4-7, 4.13 ERA) vs. RHP Joe Blanton (6-6, 5.04) Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Pittsburgh RHP James McDonald (6-3, 2.19) vs. RHP Vance Worley (3-4, 2.78) Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Pittsburgh RHP A.J. Burnett (8-2, 3.24) vs. TBA Thursday at 1:05 p.m. Pitchers TBA

Luke Garvey racked up 30 assists and 10 digs in guiding No. 4 seed Cinnaminson to a 2-1 upset at top-seeded St. Joseph-Metuchen on Wednesday in the semifinals of the Central Jersey boys' volleyball tournament. Zack Palin posted 10 kills and seven digs and Chris Bastos contributed two aces, six kills, and seven digs for the Pirates, who advanced to Friday's final against No. 2 seed Christian Brothers Academy. South Jersey Tournament. Kevin Sullivan filled the stat sheet with 16 kills, six blocks, four assists, and 23 digs, as second-seeded Eastern overcame a slow start to put away No. 3 seed Williamstown, 2-1, in a semifinal.

Miguel Ruiz doubled in a run and John Bednarek did the rest for Cinnaminson's baseball team on Wednesday, pitching the Pirates' 1-0 win at Bordentown in the quarterfinals of the Burlington County Tournament. Bednarek scattered five hits in throwing the first shutout of the season for the Pirates, seeded No. 10 in the 12-team field. Bordentown is seeded No. 2 in the double-elimination event.   Softball Brooke Coleman pitched a five-hit shutout and Courtney Hankins homered to guide Pennsville past visiting Pitman, 2-0, in a Tri-County Conference game.

Almost no one who read Gideon Defoe's cult series of absurdist novels about 19th-century pirates put the books down and thought: Claymation! No one except fellow Brit Peter Lord, head of Aardman animation, the company behind the Wallace & Gromit franchise, and when you think about it, the perfect outfit to grasp the author's Anglo-eccentricities and convey them safely to screen. Just to make sure, Aardman hired Defoe to develop the screenplay. Their collaboration is called The Pirates!

ALMOST NO ONE who read Gideon Defoe's cult series of absurdist novels about 19th-century pirates put the books down and thought: Claymation! No one except fellow Brit Peter Lord, head of Aardman Animations, the company behind the "Wallace and Gromit," franchise, and when you think about it, the perfect outfit to grasp the author's Anglo-eccentricities and convey them safely to screen. Just to make sure, Aardman hired Defoe to develop the screenplay. Their collaboration is called "Pirates: Band of Misfits.

THE KIDDIE audience might not recognize the voice of the Pirate Captain in "Pirates: Band of Misfits!" but it belongs to Hugh Grant. Older viewers might not recognize it either — it's been three years since Grant has made a movie. His last was "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" Grant's one-billionth romantic comedy, and a project apparently so awful it soured him on movies completely. Luring him back was a guy named Peter Lord, head of the Aardman Studios in England, the Claymation specialists known for "Wallace and Gromit," and their quirky British sense of humor.

Alberto Gonzalez squared to bunt in the 11th inning Sunday, aiming to drive in the go-ahead run for Texas on a squeeze play. The ball hit his bat then glanced off his right leg before bouncing toward the pitcher. But the Rangers caught a huge break - instead of being called a foul ball, Gonzalez's bunt went for an RBI infield single to give Texas a 3-2 victory over Detroit. Gonzalez admitted after the game the ball hit him around the knee - and a replay confirmed that.

Morgan Scott's fifth goal of the match, off a feed from Carleigh MacWilliams with seven seconds left in regulation, enabled host Cinnaminson to outscore Kingsway, 16-15, on Thursday in nonleague girls' lacrosse. MacWilliams finished with three goals and three assists, and Scott and Chelsea McDowell (3 goals) added two assists apiece. Pirates goalie Alexa Rocks made 15 saves. Paige Helm had six goals to lead the Dragons. In another nonleague matchup, Maple Shade ran out to a 16-4, first-half lead and went on to down host Gateway, 24-5.

PITTSBURGH - The Pirates had stormed the field for the second time in less than 24 hours, so the Phillies dressed in a quiet visitors clubhouse on Sunday at PNC Park. Dinner was ham, egg noodles, and some vegetables. Life was relatively normal after a 5-4 loss dropped the Phillies below .500 for the first time in 1,080 days. Michael Stutes lamented his bad luck. Jim Thome iced his back. David Herndon grabbed his ukulele for the plane ride home. Then there was Shane Victorino, seated at his locker, putting on his suit.