Final Score: Pirates 4 Marlins 5 in 12 innings
Why The Pirates Lost: There were coaching blunders, fielding mistakes, bad luck, but oh what an offense. The Pirates got 9 hits to go along with 8 walks but could only muster 4 runs in 12 innings. They were 3 for 18 with runners in scoring position and left 13 men on base. Ji Hwan Bae looked completely lost at the plate. He should have been pinch-hit for when they brought in the left-hander in the 5th. Ke’Bryan Hayes and Jared Triolo went 0 for 9. The Pirates have scored 4 runs in every game. At least one run per game was gifted to them by the Marlins. They only scored one run in the 3 extra innings with the ghost runner on second. The Pirates got a nice start from Bailey (It’s Not My) Falter. He went 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 7 hits. He struck out 4 and walked none. The bullpen could not protect the one-run lead in the last 3 innings. Jack Suwinski looked better at the plate. He was robbed of an opposite-field home run in the top of the 8th. Neither team played very well. Finally, the Marlins accepted the Pirates’ gifts to win the game.
Key Moment Of The Game: Bryan Reynolds led off the top of the 12th with a sharp ground ball single to right field. The Pirates’ 3rd base coach made a bewildering decision. He sent Tommy Pham, the ghost runner on second home. He was thrown out by a mile, dashing the Pirates’ chances to score and leaving the team and its supporters in disbelief. This miscalculation proved costly. The Pirates could not survive that blunder. It was a trend that seemed to haunt them throughout the game. In stark contrast, the Marlins seized the moment. They scored the winning run in the bottom of the 12th. This was a game of ineptitude by both clubs, showcasing a series of missed opportunities and questionable decisions. Ultimately, it was the Pirates who were just more adept at making crucial mistakes.
Next Game: This afternoon, Marlins in Miami. Andrew Heaney, the free-agent signing to keep Bubba Chandler from making the team, will make his Pirate debut. He did not look great this spring, but we all know that means nothing. If he pitches as well as Falter today, it does not guarantee a win. It would be nice to see the Pirates at least get a split in the series. I am sure we will see the odd Sunday lineup the Pirates are famous for. Shelton is already in midseason form, taking naps during the game and making very strange pitching moves. After all, you don’t want to try and win every game; just about 40% of them.
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 