Month: June 2023

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Pirates Morning Report: Getting A Helping Hand

Final Score: Pirates 5 Padres 4

Why The Pirates Won: Good fortune and a helping hand from the Padres enabled the Pirates to come away with a 5-4 victory and sweep the series. The Pirates trailed 4-0 going into the bottom of the 4th. The comeback started here with a run, they added another one in the bottom of the 6th and topped it off with 3 in the 7th to complete the comeback. Henry Davis was the star with 3 hits, driving in 2 runs, including the go ahead run, and scoring a run. Luis Ortiz did not have his best best stuff yesterday giving up 4 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks in just 4 and 2/3 innings. For the 2nd straight day the bullpen shutdown the Padres not allowing them to score a run. The record improved to 38-42

Key Moments Of The Game: Another game where the Padres could not come through with 2 outs and the Pirates did with a little help from the Padres. In the top of the 5th after one out Juan Soto walked. Manny Machado flied out. Xander Bogaerts singled and Jake Cronenworth walked to load the bases. The Pirates brought in Ryan Borucki and his 40 ERA. He got Brandon Dixon on one pitch to fly out to center and then pitched a scoreless 7th inning. Pretty miraculous. Going into the bottom of the 7th the Pirates trailed 4-2. Castro walked and Jared Triola singled to put runners on 1st and 3rd with nobody out. Jason Delay hit a hard shot up the middle that took pitcher Tim Hill’s glove off. He had time to get the runner out at second but elected to throw to first and did get the out. Suwinski hit a soft chopper down the first base line that Hill fielded but no one was really on first base and Hill threw the ball into right field allowing the Pirates to tie the game 4-4, with Suwinski winding up on 2nd base. Luis Garcia came in and got McCutchen to ground out. Henry Davis got the big 2 out hit, a blooper down the right field line and the Pirates had the lead 5-4 that the bullpen preserved for their 3rd win in a row.

Next Game: Tonight, Brewers in Pittsburgh. The Pirates must keep the momentum going and do some payback to the Brewers. Sweeping the Padres was huge and they took advantage of the breaks that they got. They need to at least take 2 out of 3 which will get them right back in the race.

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Pirates Morning Report: Pirates Win The Battle Of The Bullpens

Final Score: Pirates 7 Padres 1

Why The Pirates Won: After 6 innings the score was 2-1 Pirates and both starters were done. Each team had to turn the game over to the bullpens for the last three innings. The Pirate bullpen which has been having a rough time came through last night giving up no runs on 3 hits and a walk. The Padre bullpen got touched up and I do mean lightly touched up for 5 runs in the bottom of the 7th, as the Pirates won their second in a row to go to 37-42. Carlos Santana hit another home run, this time in the first inning to give the Pirates a quick 2-0 lead. Mitch Keller after a slow start hung in there giving up only 1 run in the top of the 6th.

Key Moments Of The Game: Even though the final score was rather lopsided, it could have been much closer if some things had gone a different way for both teams. Keller after getting 2 outs in each of the first 2 innings, ran into trouble. In the first the Padres had 1st and 3rd but failed to score when Xander Bogaerts grounded into a force out short to 2nd. In the top of the 2nd the Padres had 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs but Ha-Seong Kim flew out to left field failing to score again. In the top of the 7th everything went right for the Pirates. Nick Gonzales got an infield hit that the shortstop lost his balance fielding the ball making the throw late. Jack Suwinski walked. Jared Triolo got hit in the hand while trying to bunt. This is where the Padres lost 2 arguments. Did the ball hit the bat first but regardless did Triolo pull his bat back fast enough. The answer was no but the umps thought he did. Instead of the at bat continuing, the Pirates had the bases loaded and nobody out. Josh Palacios hit a line drive to right field that Tatis barely short hopped scoring the Pirates 3rd run and the bases were still loaded with nobody out. If the bunt play had been ruled correctly and Tatis makes the play the Pirates would have had 1st and 2nd with 2 out. If everything had gone exactly the same way the score would have been 4-1 rather than 7-1. It could have been a much more tense top of the 9th inning.

Next Game: This afternoon Padres in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are going to be going for the series sweep. I know, it is hard to believe. The Pirates had some really good breaks last night and maybe that will help them turn this thing around.

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Pirates Morning Report: Not Getting Hedges Out=Loss

Final Score: Pirates 9 Padres 4

Why The Pirates Won: If you cannot keep Austen Hodges off the bases you are going to lose. He got 2 hits(not a misprint), a walk, and on base by catcher interference. This will probably be the last time in his career that he gets on base 4 times in one game. The Pirate bats woke up hitting 3 home runs, by Suwinski, Santana, and Gonzales, who also added a triple. Overall the Pirates had 15 hits for their most offensive game in at least a month. Rich Hill got knocked around for 4 runs, 9 hits but had his at them ball working and was able get through 6 innings. Roansy Contreras had some shaky moments, but managed to shut out the Padres over the last 3 innings. The Pirates win the first game of the series to improve to 36-42

Key Moment Of The Game: It was the bounce back 2nd inning, after the Padres scored 3 runs in the top of the inning. The Pirates had scored 2 runs and had runners on 1st and 3rd with one out. Josh Polacios hit a line drive to center but was not deep enough to score the runner from third base. It looked like the Pirates were up to their old tricks and going to strand the runner on third base. However, Andrew McCutchen got the key 2 out hit allowing the Pirates to tie the game. The next inning they led off with back to back homers and the Pirates were on their way.

Next Game: Tonight, Padres in Pittsburgh. A good start to the home stand but cannot get too excited yet. Keller against Blake Snell who has been pitching well lately. Last night was the best game the Pirates have played in a long time. Can they get on a roll? Only time will tell.

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Golf Diary

The Round: Played South Park Score 82 Greens In Reg: 6 Putts 32

The Good: Nothing. I could not find anything to latch onto today to get me going.

The Bad: I had yip issues which was a little surprising. My driving was horrible. My iron game only had a few bright moments, but overall stunk. Putting was bad because of the yips. The short game was bad getting up down 5 out of 12 times. I think it was just being over golfed. The weather was muggy although the temperature was not that high.

The Luck Of The Round: I yipped some putts in, which has to be lucky. You could say I was lucky that I did not do bodily harm to myself, the play was so bad. Can not use bad luck as an excuse for this round.

Next Round: Probably not until July 8th at North Park. It’s Grandkids time.

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Pirates Morning Report: All Quiet On The Batting Front

Final Score: Pirates 0 Marlins 2

Why The Pirates Loss: The Pirates were shutout for the 10th time this season. What more can you say. They had some traffic in the early going but 15 of the last 16 batters made outs. Johan Oviedo pitched an excellent 7 innings giving up one run on 6 hits, no walks, while striking out 6 over 7innings. The Pirates have fallen to 7 games below .500 and things are just going to get tougher. They have 13 games before the All Star break finishing up with 4 games against the Dodgers and 3 with the Diamondbacks, out there. In the previous stretch of 13 games, I was hoping they would go around 7-6 or 6-7. They went 1-12 to pretty much end the season. I was wondering how this group would respond to meaningful games in August, but they collapsed playing meaningful games in June. They have a day off today, which proves there is a merciful God for everyone involved.

Key Moment Of The Game: In the top of the 2nd the Pirates had 2nd and 3rd and one out thanks to an infield hit, a walk and wild pitch. Eury Perez struck out Castro on 5 pitches the last one being called and Austin Hedges on 3 pitches the last one being called. Just like the short putt never going in, you are not going to get a hit unless you swing the bat. They never got another runner in scoring position the rest of the game. A real stressful game for the Marlins.

Next Game: Tomorrow, Padres in Pittsburgh. The Padres will be the worst team, record wise, the Pirates will play over the next 2 weeks. The only solace for Pirate fans is that the Padres have spent a ton more money than the Pirates, to play this bad. It’s hard to say what might be the trigger that will start this team hitting. Getting rid of Austin Hedges might be a start.

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Golf Diary

The Round: Played Stoughton Acres Score 76 Greens In Reg. 6 Putts 27

The Good: I had to put my putter in the freezer when I got home it was so hot. I made two birdie putts one of about 40 feet and the other 25 feet. I made a par putt on the 9th hole of about 40 feet on a hole that I just butchered. I got it up and down 7 out of 12 times. I never missed a short putt all day. My driving was good most of the day.

The Bad: My iron game was bad hitting only 6 greens in regulation. I did have a couple of holes where I put it on the fringe. I played the par 3’s badly never hitting one on the green and playing them 2 over.

The Luck Of The Round: I had a lot of good fortune today. I hit one drive on the 9th hole so far left that I wound up being ok. I got through a couple of trees on 2 holes with minimal damage where I had shots to the green. Any time you make 3 bombs of putts, luck is on your side. I also hit a second shot on a par 5 that was headed into a lake but hit the rocks and ricocheted back into play. I hit I nice wedge within about 6 feet but missed the putt. One of the few putts I missed all day and did not really take advantage of the good break.

Next Round: Tomorrow, South Park then a 10 day break.

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Pirates Morning Report: Not Playing Basic Baseball

Final Score: Pirates 3 Marlins 4 11 innings

Why The Pirates Lost: The Pirates had a runner on 2nd base with no outs 3 times in the game and did not get him to third one time. They scored only once in the three times and that took a 2 out single by Ke’Bryan Hayes in the top of the 10th. In that same top of the 10th the Pirates asked Connor Joe to bunt, and he has not had a sacrifice bunt in his career. Do you think they knew that? You have to wonder. Contrast that with the Marlins who had a runner on 2nd with no outs twice and moved him over both times. If the Pirates would have been able to do that, they would have won the game 3-2 in regulation. Osvaldo Bido pitched decently spreading out 9 hits, some of them of the infield variety, giving up 2 runs, striking out 5, walking no one over 5 and 2/3 innings. The bullpen did a good job for a change and held the Marlins in check until they started playing basic baseball, something the Pirates couldn’t do.

The Key Moment Of The Game: In the bottom of the 11th with the extra inning runner on 2nd base to start, Jason Delay elected not to try to get the runner going to third. You could clearly see on the replay that when he picked up the ball the runner was only about halfway to third base. That error in judgement most likely cost the Pirates the game. Maybe he thought the game was in Pittsburgh and the Pirates would get one more at bat. Even so they probably wouldn’t have gotten the runner over to third. He may have been thinking, why did the Pirates have Connor Joe bunt, and was just distracted. It is a little scary trying to get inside the Pirates’ brain.

Next Game: This afternoon, Marlins in Miami. Can the Pirates somehow someway get a split in this series? The Pirates are going up against the 20 year old phenom Eury Perez who in 8 starts is 4-1 with an ERA of 1.54. In similar situations this year the Pirates have been able to pull out the win. If they can do that today, it could turn the whole season around.

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Golf Diary

The Round: Played South Park: Score 74 Greens In Reg. 12 Putts 32

The Good: My game from 80 yards in was very good. I hit three pitch shots from 60 to 80 yards that all ended up 3 to 5 feet from the pin. I made all 3 putts for birdies. My other birdie came from 120 yards out with a gap wedge to about 8 feet. I hit 12 greens in regulation for a very good iron day. My driving was good if not great. Even though I did not drive the ball far today, none of my drives found trouble. My decision-making process was good which really helped out the results of the shots.

The Bad: This is what made my round interesting in that my putting and short game were not good. I only got it up and down 1 out of 6 times. I made a double bogey from about 5 yards short of the green. I hit a strong chip and then blew a 15 foot putt about 5 feet past the hole and then missed that for the double. I had a couple of yip putts but no chip yips today.

The Luck Of The Round: I had some good breaks today. I hit a thin 6 iron on a par 3 that rolled onto the green. I skulled a wedge on the last hole that is uphill, and it was able to stay on the green. I did not have any bad luck today that’s for sure.

Next Round: Tomorrow Stoughton Acres.

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Pirates Morning Report: It’s Over

Final Score: Pirates 3 Marlins 1

Why The Pirates Won: Luis Ortiz pitched one heck of a game. After giving up 1 run on 3 hits and a walk in the first inning, he shut out the Marlins for the next 7 innings on 4 hits and a walk. He kept the Pirates in the game as they struggled for 8 innings. In the top of the 9th, they rallied for 3 runs to take the lead. Josh Palacios started the 9th off with a little soft liner to left field for a base hit. One out later Andrew McCutchen hit a swinging bunt down the third base line for a hit. The Pirates immediately pulled off the double steal. Then Connor Joe hit a sharp ground ball to the shortstop, and he did not make the play to plate, which allowed the Pirates to tie the game 1-1. That was followed up by a solid base hit by Carlos Santana for the Pirates to take the lead 2-1. Henry Davis and Tucupita Marcano followed with singles and the Pirates had a 3-1 lead. David Bednar pitched a clean 9th for the save and the losing streak had come to an end. Going into the 9th the Pirates had only 2 hits and then got 5 hits to score the 3 runs. Do you believe in miracles?

Key Moments Of The Game: There were two deciding moments to this game. The Marlins had the bases loaded and 1 out in the top of the first with a run already in. They hit into a double play that ended the inning and Ortiz would go on to pitch his gem. Next was the hard hit ground ball to the shortstop in the top of the 9th by Connor Joe. The decision not to try to get the runner trying to score may have cost the Marlins the game. It is something we will never know but it looked to me that he would have thrown him out. Those two plays were the difference in the game.

Next Game: This afternoon, Marlins in Miami. The losing streak is over, but will the Pirates build any momentum off of this thrilling win. If they can get a split in this series, then I would say yes. I know it is a very very very small sample size, but Henry Davis looks like the real deal. He seems to have a focus and drive that this club really needs. I hope I am right about him.

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Pirates Morning Report: Another Bullpen Collapse

Final Score: Pirates 4 Marlins 6

Why The Pirates Lost: It was another epic bullpen failure. Duari Moreta faced 3 batters in the bottom of the 8th and did not retire one. To the first and third batter he threw 5 consecutive sliders and the 5th one in each at bat resulted in a double and a single. He threw 15 pitches and 13 of them were sliders. What kind of pitch sequencing is that? The Pirates brought in rookie Carmen Mlodzinski with the bases loaded and nobody out. Not the best position to put a rookie in. He quickly gave up a single on his very first pitch. He got a ground out on the next batter which advanced the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Garret Cooper hit the first pitch, which was about 6 inches above the ankles, for a 3 run homer and in the blink of an eye, the score went from 4-1 Pirates to 6-4 Marlins. The Pirates did not threaten in the top of the 9th, sending the Pirates to their 10 straight defeat. Until the bottom of the 8th there was so much to like about this game. Mitch Keller pitched a strong 7 innings to shut up the morons on Twitter that say he is back to his 2022 form. Henry Davis hit his first career home run to stretch the lead to 3-1. But in the end, the Pirates went down to defeat again.

Key Moment Of The Game: The decision to bring Mlodzinski in with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 8th. Why not bring David Bednar in? This was the high leverage moment of the game. He would not have to pitch the 9th unless he got out of the jam on just a few pitches. When will teams ever get over this closer mentality. I am not saying that closing is not important but with the game on the line, shouldn’t you want your best reliever in the game. If it did take him a lot of pitches and even if he gave up 1 run, then take your chances and bring someone else in to pitch the 9th. This is progressive thinking. Something the Pirates do not seem to be familiar with.

The Next Game: Tonight, Marlins in Miami. After my blog rant of yesterday I am calmer after the 10th loss in a row. It is amazing what has happened to the bullpen. This was the first time the Marlins have seen the Pirates this year, but it made no difference. The bullpen has gone from being the strongest part of the team to the worst part of the team. That’s saying something, considering how bad the offense is. They have 3 games left with the Marlins. Could they lose 13 in a row? Don’t bet against it.