Final Score: Pirates 9 Phillies 11
Why The Pirates Lost: For the second time this week the Pirate bullpen could not protect big leads. In 3 and 1/3 innings of “work” the bullpen gave up 7 runs on 7 hits, walking 2 and striking out 2. As a group they were allowed to throw 75 pitches despite their ineffectiveness. Braxton Ashcraft threw 100 pitches over 6 and 2/3 innings. He was charged with 4 runs on 7 hits striking out 5 and walking 0. Not a bad outing. When compared to the bullpen he looked like Bob Gibson. All of this wasted a 3 home run, 9 run night by the Pirate offense. You lead 6-0, add two more runs during the game, and still lose 11-9. It is time to face facts. This bullpen is terrible and as usual the Pirates will do nothing about it
Key Moments Of The Game: The Pirates led 8-5 going into the top of the 9th. Gregory Soto came on to get the save. Konner Griffin dropped a routine ground ball for an error to start the inning. Soto got a ground out. He walked Adolis Garcia on 6 pitches. None of the 4 balls were close to the strike zone. Trea Turner singled to right to load the bases. Up stepped Kyle Schwarber who had hit 2 homers during the game. The Pirates showed what gutless wonders they are by walking him on 4 straight pitches. This brought up Bryce Harper who was 3 for 4 with the bases still loaded. Soto never threw Harper a strike either, but he swung at a ball below the knees and missed by inches of getting a grand slam. This tied the game but Schwarber was thrown out at 3rd base. The top of the tenth was worse. Dennis Santana faced four batters got no one out and the Phillies surged ahead 11-8. The Pirate broadcast booth made the comment in the bottom of inning that Isaac Mattson has “obviously” been shut down. He then got up to warm up. His lack of use has been a mystery. If he is injured why is he not on the IL. This is a team that is in total disarray. Welcome to rookie manager world.
Next Game: This afternoon, Phillies in Pittsburgh. Will the Pirates be able to come back from such a debacle or will this catapult the Phillies into a series sweep. Bubba (What’s The Strike Zone) Chandler will be going for the Pirates. I am sure no heads will roll despite all of these bullpen disasters over the last few weeks. This is just the Pirate way. We will see if the Pirates have the fortitude to come back from this. It may determine the rest of the season.
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 