Adam LaRoche

The irony of the struggles the 1998 Fort Scott High graduate is going through is that he was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the off season to provide offense. But LaRoche is batting just .109 this season (5 for 46) with one double, two home runs and five runs batted in.

His only multi-hit game of the season came April 7 at Cincinnati, when he was 2 for 4 with a solo home run, two runs scored and two runs batted in. His other home run came Tuesday night at St. Louis, a three-run shot in the third inning.

Monday and Tuesday were the only nights this season that LaRoche has had hits in consecutive games. He was 1 for 4 against St. Louis Monday and 1 for 5 Tuesday.

LaRoche was 0 for 3 Wednesday night at Milwaukee. The Pirates play at Milwaukee this afternoon, then go to Los Angeles for a three-game series before taking Monday off.

One thing about leaving Atlanta is that your TV appearances go way down. LaRoche is not going to be seen on local TV for quite some time. If you have a dish, you can subscribe to MLB Extra Innings. If you have a satellite radio, you can listen to his games on XM. If you have the Internet, you can choose a radio link or video on demand at mlb.com. The radio subscription is only available for a year but video has monthly and season-long options.

Andy LaRoche

Andy: Back down on the farm

The younger LaRoche, a 2001 FSHS grad, was one of the last players sent down to Las Vegas when the Los Angeles Dodgers broke camp. He is still primarily a third baseman but will also play a couple a nights a week in the outfield as the Dodgers want him to be more versatile. LaRoche played some outfield during spring training.

The Las Vegas 51s (named after the so-called "Area 51," with a alien as its logo) are the Triple-A affiliate of the Dodgers. LaRoche was called up here from Jacksonville, Fla. midway through last season. The 51s lost their first three games of the season, all at Salt Lake City, but have bounced back, winning eight of their last 10 to take over the lead in the Pacific Conference-Southern Division of the Pacific Coast League on winning percentage (Yes, it has conferences -- the PCL has 16 teams in four divisions of four each).

As the 51s started slowly, so did LaRoche, batting in the .100s until recently. He has since brought his average up to .224 (11 for 49). LaRoche has hit two home runs and driven in six runs. He also has two doubles and 10 runs scored.

LaRoche's two-run home run in the first inning produced the 51s' only runs in Monday's 2-1 win over Salt Lake. He was 2 for 3, scoring twice in Tuesday's 5-0 win over Colorado Springs.

Much like mlb.com, video and audio feeds of 51s games are available through the team's web site. Internet radio feeds are available for free; all you have to do is register. Video feeds are available for select games (700 total minor league games will be made available through www.minorleaguebaseball.com this season) with season, monthly and daily options.

SEASON STATS

As of Thursday morning

Adam LaRoche, Pittsburgh Pirates

Andy LaRoche, Las Vegas 51s (AAA)