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Touch 'Em All: Can you believe it? Bucs GM gets 3 more years

We don't think many people saw this coming, but the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday gave general manager Neal Huntington a three-year contract extension through the 2014, a deal that includes a team option for 2015.

We don't think many people saw this coming, but the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday gave general manager Neal Huntington a three-year contract extension through the 2014, a deal that includes a team option for 2015.

Although the Bucs haven't had a winning season in nearly two decades, earlier this season they were relevant for a while: After beating the Reds on July 19, the Pirates had a 51-44 record and led the NL Central by a half-game.

But, characteristically, they immediately started a 10-game losing streak and haven't recovered. After Sunday's loss to the Marlins, the Bucs' record stands at 66-80, which means they are almost guaranteed another losing season.

This, however, is seen as progress in Pittsburgh.

"While there is still much work to be done," Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement full of understatement, "Neal and his staff have done an exceptional job of overhauling the scouting and development systems while building a strong foundation by aggressively acquiring talent through all possible avenues."

Strasburg is ordinary

Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg wasn't quite as dominating in his second start back from Tommy John surgery; he was just so-so. The righthander allowed one run over three innings Sunday to the visiting Houston Astros, partly because he needed 31 pitches to get out of the first inning. He later settled down and finished with six straight outs.

For the record, he allowed three hits and struck out four in his 57-pitch outing.

Nats manager Davey Johnson pinch hit for the 23-year-old in the bottom of the third and got some grief for his troubles. "He was irritated," Johnson said. "He said, 'Just three?' And I said, 'Yeah, just three.' "

The Nationals, who ended up beating Houston, 8-2, have said that Strasburg will make only a few starts the rest of the season: Sept. 17 against the Florida Marlins, Sept. 23 against the Atlanta Braves, and possibly the season finale against the Marlins. He will not start when the Nats visit Philly for a four-game series Sept. 20-22.

Peavy out for year

The Chicago White Sox have shut down righthander Jake Peavy for the rest of the season, hoping that rest will help the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner return to full strength next year. Peavy had shoulder surgery on July 14, 2010, and struggled with fatigue this season, finishing 7-7 with a 4.92 ERA in 1112/3 innings.

"The decision's been made and I think it's a good one," he said. "Obviously, it has been a grind."

He's not kidding. Chicago is 73-72, and trails the Detroit Tigers by 101/2 games in the AL Central.

- Staff and wire reports