Final Score: Pirates 3 Braves 6
Why The Pirates Lost: The best way to sum up the first two games of this series is that the Braves scored 12 runs and the Pirates got 12 hits. For the second game in a row, the Pirate starter got knocked around. This time it was Braxton Ashcraft. In 5 innings, he gave up 6 runs on 9 hits, walking none while striking out 5. The only thing you could say about Ashcraft is that he gave out no free passes. He made them earn their 6 runs. For the second game in a row, the Braves bullpen shut out the Pirates. The Pirates did get a couple of more hits. In 8 innings of relief, the Braves have given up 0 runs, 4 hits, and 3 walks. The Pirates did have a couple of more opportunities to cut into the lead but failed miserably. Just like before, the Pirates could not get themselves back into the game after falling behind 6-3 after 5 innings. The Pirate bullpen again proved they can pitch quite well when trailing by 3 runs, as they did not give up any runs over the last 3 innings. I am not too sure you want that on your resume. I am really good when I come into a game trailing by 3 runs. Just to add insult to injury, no pun intended, Brandon Lowe fouled a ball right off his knee. He could not finish the at bat which cannot be a good sign. As of this moment I cannot find any updates on the injury.
Key Moments of the Game: The Braves jumped on Ashcraft right away, scoring 2 runs on 4 hits and a sacrifice fly in the first inning. You can tell this Braves lineup knows how to go after a pitcher. In the bottom of the 3rd, the Pirates gifted a run to the Braves when Endy Rodriguez threw to second base with runners on 1st and 3rd. It was an ill-advised throw. He threw the ball high, and it wound up in center field. It could have been perfect, but the runner would have still scored from third as he got a great jump once the ball left Rodriguez’s hand. A final similarity between the first two games was when the Braves scored in the bottom of the inning that the Pirates had tied the game. The backbreaker was the 2-run home run by Dominic Smith. It was fair, just inside the left field foul pole. It was hit at 93 MPH and traveled 351 ft. This was not a stat cast darling by any stretch of the imagination; however, it was very effective and gave the Braves their 3-run lead. Unlike the 1st game of the series, the Pirates had some chances to tighten things up. In the top of the 7th, Tyler Callihan walked to lead off the inning. He stole 2nd base. Jared Triolo hit a deep fly ball to left center, moving Callihan to 3rd with one out. The Braves were conceding the run. Spencer Horwitz did not want it, striking out. Brandon Lowe struck out to end the inning. In the top of the 8th, the Pirates got 2 singles, putting runners on 1st and 2nd with one out. Oneil Cruz struck out, and Rodriguez flied out to end the inning.
Next game: This afternoon, the Braves, in Atlanta. It will be up to Bubba (I hope the Braves swing at everything) Chandler to help the Pirates salvage one game of the series. I was hoping the Pirates would raise the level of their game facing the Braves, who have the best record in baseball. What happened was the Pirates found out how difficult it is to play meaningful games against a top opponent. Hopefully, they will learn something about how to play when the pressure is ramped up. With Chandler pitching today, unless the game is a slugfest, the Pirates have very little chance.
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 