Final Score: Pirates 5 Yankees 8
Why the Pirates Lost: In a very odd game where all the scoring took place in the first three innings, the Yankees simply out-hit the Pirates. Braxton Ashcraft could not keep Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the ballpark, as he hit two home runs, driving in five runs. He wasn’t the only problem for Ashcraft, as he gave up seven more hits and three more runs in just three innings of work. The Pirates scored three in the second inning and two in the third. Esmerlyn Valdez hit a two-run homer in the third to continue his incredible start in the big leagues. After the third inning, the Pirates were shut down, getting only three hits and three walks over the last six innings. Wilber Dotel returned to form, pitching three innings, giving up one hit and striking out five. Dennis Santana got into an altercation over a batter trying to psyche him out over the pitch timer. Santana really thinks that anybody would need to psyche him out the way he pitches. The Pirates are now 2-2 on the road trip. I wonder if Greg Brown still thinks the Pirates are “surging,” now that they are 7-4 in their last 11 games.
Key Moments of the Game: The Pirates looked like they might get something going in two innings. In the top of the 4th, Henry Davis singled, and Billy Cook got on when the third baseman muffed a ground ball. Nick Gonzales grounded into a routine double play, and Brandon Lowe struck out to end the inning. In the top of the 8th, Ryan O’Hearn singled to open the inning. He was immediately erased when Marcell Ozuna grounded into a double play. Jacob Gonzalez singled, but Tyler Callihan struck out pinch hitting for Henry Davis. The Pirates went down in order in the 9th.
Next Game: Tonight, Yankees in New York. Bubba Chandler will start for the Pirates. He has been looking better lately and he will need to be tonight. The Pirates need to win at least one of the next two games. It would be nice if they won both so they can go back to “surging”. Don’t look now but I would say the Red Sox are surging by winning 14 in a row. Despite their issues the Pirates have risen to a 3 way tie with Cardinals and the Marlins for the final wild card spot. The pressure will continue to ramp up on this team to perform and make a move at the trade deadline. How will they do? Stay tuned.
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 