Pirates Morning Report: How To Blow A 7 Run Lead By Derek Shelton

Final Score: Pirates 10 Cubs 14

Why The Pirates Lost: In one of the strangest 3 game series in Pirate history, the Cubs came back from a 7 run deficit to score 11 runs in the last 3 innings to sweep the series. My words were rather prophetic a couple of blogs ago when I wrote that this bullpen is so well rested, they will forget how to pitch. The bullpen in the last 4 innings gave up 11 runs, 11 hits, and 6 walks. One walk was in the 6th inning, so everything else happened in the last 3 innings. The Pirates scored 23 runs in the series and lost all 3 games. That is because the Cubs scored an unbelievable 41 runs. That is just 1 run short of 14 runs per game. Derek Shelton stated after the game we need to finish games. Here is a tip. Stop putting in David Bednar in the 9th. The problem with Bednar is easy to see but does not seem to be fixable, at least by this coaching staff. Last year before the All Star break Bednar had walked only one batter excluding intentional walks. Ever since then he almost walks a batter every time he comes in. Is there a mechanical issue or is it mental? Who knows, but this lack of command has been why he is getting hit. Yesterday he threw 9 non fast balls out of 28 pitches and only two of those were in the strike zone. Only one time was the pitch swung on. Talk about sitting on the fastball. It is ridiculous that he is still the closer. In a nutshell this bullpen has been shaky all year. The Pirates did nothing at the trade deadline to improve it. Padres added to their bullpen at the deadline. You can see what they are doing now.

Key Moment Of The Game: I felt it was when they did not let Dennis Santana come out for the 9th inning. He had thrown 2 pitches to get out of the 8th inning. This was the perfect time to see what he could do and have Bednar warming up in the bullpen if needed. That is how you finish a game, Shelton.

Next Game: Tomorrow night, the Guardians in Cleveland. Barry (Yesterday Was Not My) Falter will start. The Pirates are now 9 games under .500 and will be hard pressed to win as many games as they did last year. This was a team that expected to contend.