Final Scores: Game 1 Pirates 2 Tigers 9 Game 2 Pirates 8 Tigers 4 10 innings
Why The Pirates Split: The Pirates did better against Tarik Skubal than I thought they would. However, there were no miracles in game 1. The Tiger offense ripped starter Andrew Heaney for 7 runs on 8 hits. This was way more than Skubal needed. Both Skubal and Skenes had their problems in the rainy weather. They had almost identical lines. Skubal went 5 and 2/3 innings. He gave up 2 runs on 6 hits. He walked 3 batters and struck out 6. In game 2, Paul Skenes went 6 innings. He gave up 2 runs on 3 hits. He walked 5 and struck out 9. Both pitchers had trouble with control, walking more batters in one game than they had all year. Skenes left the game with the Pirates leading 4-2. Of course, the bullpen blew the lead. In the bottom of the 7th, it took the Tigers 3 batters to tie the game. The runs were given up by Isaac Mattson. In his defense, the home run ball he gave up was on a pitch that was almost over Colt Keith’s head. The Pirates brought out the home run ball early in game 2. Nick Gonzales and Andrew McCutchen hit solo home runs. Jared (I Should Be Playing Instead Of Hayes) Triolo hit a 2-run shot. This accounted for the Pirates’ 4 runs. After that, the Pirate offense died as usual. They went from the 4th through the 8th inning without getting a hit. In the 10th inning, things finally went their way.
Key Moments Of The Games: When the score is 9-2 there aren’t really any key moments. The one thing about game 1 was there were a lot of bloop hits. The Tigers had the vast majority, but the Pirates had a few of their own. With any luck, Heaney could have had a better outing. It would not have been good enough to win, but his stats would not have taken such a big hit. In the top of the 10th, the Pirates made two questionable moves, but it all turned out. They used Tommy Pham to run for Andrew McCutchen, who started the inning at 2nd base. Then they pinch-hit with Ke’Bryan Hayes to start the 10th. When Hayes singled and Pham was ruled safe at the plate, you knew the Pirates were going to win the game. Replay let the call stand, and Tigers manager A. J. Hinch was tossed from the game. The Pirates added 3 more runs, with Joey Bart and IKF getting the key RBI hits. David Bednar shut down the Tigers in the 10th. The Pirates had their split. That gave them a 2-5 road trip.
Next Game: Tonight, Rangers in Pittsburgh. The Pirates have a 3-game homestand with the Texas Rangers. The Pirates go from the frying pan into the fire. The new Jacob deGrom starts for the Rangers. He is new because he is trying to stay healthy for an entire season. His velocity is down about 2 to 3 MPH. He has been just as effective. The weather is supposed to be good. The Pirates will not have that to help them out. deGrom is not averaging 6 innings per game. Maybe the Pirates can score late. The starting lineup will be the key here. I am sure it will be wrong.
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 