Final Score: Final Score: Pirates 0 Padres 3
Why The Pirates Lost: When you first look at the box score it appears that the Pirates were shut down pretty well. They had 5 hits, 4 walks and one batter hit by a pitch. The Pirates were retired in order in 5 of the 9 innings. In other words, they got those 5 hits, 4 walks and HBP in just 4 innings but still failed to produce a run. They were 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position and that was an infield hit. They left 10 men on base. In the last 5 games the Pirates have scored 7 runs. This will be the third month in a row that they have had a losing record, even if they sweep the Cardinals. Since June 1st their record is 33-42. Bubba Chandler seems to have overcome his control problems. He went 5 and 2/3 innings giving up one earned run on four hits, walking 2. He threw 83 pitches. You could be critical of some of Don Kelly’s pitching moves, but when you cannot score, what difference does it make. The Pirates fall 7.5 games out of the wild card. This was a big loss.
Key Moments Of The Game: I will be as brief as possible. I am not going to mention any names as a kindness to their families. Fourth inning, runners on 2nd and 3rd no outs thanks in part to a balk. The Pirates popped out and struck out. The next batter was walked to load the bases. The next batter struck out. Sixth inning a single and walk put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. This is where the Pirates were done in by a spectacular play by 2nd basemen Jake Cronenworth. Bryan Reynolds hit a 105 MPH line drive that Cronenworth literally threw himself at the ball to make a spectacular catch. It was the play of the game. I have to give the runners credit for not getting doubled off the base. The next two batters grounded out and flied out. In the 7th the first two batters in the inning were walked and hit by a pitch. The next batter struck out. An infield hit loaded the bases. Two strike outs later the inning was over. In 8th two singles put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Two strike outs and ground out ended that inning. It was a blessing that the Pirates went quietly in the 9th.
Next Game: Friday night, Cardinals in St. Louis. The Pirates travel to St. Louis to wind up this 9 game road trip. The Cardinals play today so they will have either snapped a 5 game losing streak or stretched it to 6. Either way I do not think that it will help out the Pirates. Even though the offense has put a lot of runs on the board and are 5th in runs per game, they have been shut out a league leading 15 times. I keep repeating myself, but the Pirates have to sweep the Cardinals. They need to finish the season 21-6 to have any chance at all. Time is running out. Let the countdown begin. Stay tuned.
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 