Final Score: Pirates 0 Cubs 4
Why The Pirates Lost: Again, the Pirates scored 0 runs, simple as that. They only had one inning where they had 2 base runners. They had 5 hits, and none were in the same inning. The one inning they had a hit and a walk. They tried to mix up the lineup a little but to no avail. The middle of the order went 0 for 12. The only good thing, these are easy games to analyze. No scoring, no win. The Pirates have not scored a run for 24 innings and fell behind the Cubs into 4th place. Johan Oviedo pitched a decent game giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, walking none and striking out 3 batters, over 6 innings of work. Despite the Pirates woes, the starting pitching has hung in there pretty well considering they get no run support. The bullpen gave up 2 more runs in the last 3 innings, essentially ending the game.
Key Moment Of The Game: When Derek(The Shadow Knows) Shelton filled out the lineup card giving Reynolds and McCutchen a rest. The lineup he put out there really never threatened to score a run. They only had 3 at bats with runners in scoring position. You kind of hope and pray that maybe this is the low point of the season. I am not sure it is, but it would be nice to see this turn this around. Optimism is not running high at this keyboard.
Next Game: This afternoon, Cubs in Pittsburgh. At least the Pirates will be getting it over with early today, and if you’re a Pirate fan your evening will be pleasant. Forget about winning, the big question is will they score a run or stretch the scoreless streak to 34 innings? Hell, I don’t know if I can wait till around 3pm to find out.
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 