Final Score: Pirates 1 Reds 2
Why The Pirates Lost: The game was delayed for 1 hour and 22 minutes. Once the game started, the Pirates were in a big hurry to lose. They swung at 24 balls out of the strike zone and struck out 14 times. Only 3 of those strikeouts were over 5 pitches. Despite all the strikeouts, the Reds’ pitchers only threw 112 pitches for 9 innings. Compare that with 122 pitches the Pirates threw for 8 innings. The Pirates made 6 outs swinging at the first pitch. The game took 2 hours and 16 minutes to play. The Pirates were probably going to have to pay extra for their flight to Atlanta if they made the plane wait. I am sure the orders before the game were to swing at anything close to the plate. The Pirates had 3 hits and only 2 at-bats with runners in scoring position. They got the run in the 8th by concession. The AAA boys were 0 for 7 with 4 strikeouts. They followed orders and made the other 3 outs on 3 pitches. Braxton Ashcraft gave up 8 hits in 4 and 1/3 innings. Unfortunately, he gave up 4 of those in the same inning, enabling the Reds to score 2 runs. It would be all the runs they would need with the Pirates pressed for time.
Key Moments Of The Game: It was the rain delay that put the Pirates in a time crunch. It is the only plausible explanation for the Pirates’ hitting approach. They struck out 11 times in the first 6 innings. They had two hits. They put nine balls in play. They did a little better after that, only striking out 3 more times in the last 3 innings. By then, they knew they had plenty of time to catch their plane. They scored a run in the top of the 8th. Spencer Horwitz had a pinch-hit double with no outs. He moved around and scored on two ground outs. I guess they felt no need to pinch-run for him this time. The big play of the game came in the top of the 9th for the Reds. Bryan Reynolds took a 3-0 fastball and lifted it 348 feet to right field. He needed to hit it 352 feet. Noelvi Marte timed his jump perfectly and snagged the ball just as it was heading over the wall. McCutchen swung at the first pitch, what else, and flied out to right field to end the game.
Next Game: Tonight, the Braves in Atlanta. The season mercifully comes to an end with 3 games in Atlanta. The only team more disappointing than the Pirates may be the Braves. They spent a lot more money than the Pirates did to stink. Since these games are meaningless, the Morning Report will take a little different format. I will give a brief summary of the game and then discuss what the Pirates should do in various areas once the season is done. I want to do this before the season ends because I want to get it out of my system while there is still time. I have a sinking feeling that none of what should happen is going to happen. Thank God this is the last weekend.
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 