Tag: A Big Win

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Pirates Morning Report: Winning A Tough One

Final Score: Pirates 6 Brewers 3 in 10 innings

Why The Pirates Won: The Pirates won this on sheer persistence. They were able to survive striking out 15 times, the offense going to sleep in the last 3 innings, and just a so-so pitching performance from Mitch Keller. The Brewers were pretty gutsy themselves, battling back in the bottom of the innings that the Pirates took the lead. What the Brewers could not overcome was going 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position. Mitch Keller could only go 5+ innings, being charged with 3 runs on 5 hits. He struck out 5 and walked 2, throwing 93 pitches. The Pirate bullpen may have had their best game of the year, going 5 innings and giving up just 1 hit and 2 walks. Yohan Ramirez continues to shine, having a career year so far. He pitched the bottom of the 10th and retired the side in order, striking out 2.

Key Moment Of The Game: The bottom of the 10th was much easier thanks to Nick Gonzales. The Pirates had made the score 4-3 when Bryan Reynolds hit a ground ball between short and third that scored Henry Davis with one out. The hit advanced pinch runner Nick Yorke, who was running for Marcell Ozuna. Ozuna had pinch-hit for Brandon Lowe with the Brewers having a left-hander on the mound. You have to say one thing about Kelly: he is a man of his convictions. The fact that he had pinch-hit for Lowe before, with disastrous results, did not deter him. Ozuna was able to work a one out walk. Ryan O’Hearn hit a Baltimore chop to the pitcher that moved the runners to 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. Nick Gonzales took a 1-1 sweeper and rifled it into left field, scoring 2 runs to make the score 6-3. This made the runner on second in the bottom of the 10th for the Brewers pretty much worthless. Ramirez made sure the Brewers did not make it interesting. The win ensures the Pirates finish with a .500 record on the road. They have the opportunity for the sweep and a 4-2 road trip.

Next Game: Today, Brewers in Milwaukee, at 2:10 PM. Carmen Mlodzinski will start today for the Pirates with no sign that the Pirates are going with an opener. Sigh. I would not mind seeing Cruz get a rest today. I still cannot figure out why on earth the Pirates have him leading off. His last 7 games he is only hitting .125. He did not do well in the lead off spot last year. There are plenty of players who could lead off. Of course, I am the guy that thought they should have never signed Ramirez and brought him up North. But still, what is the rationale of leading Cruz off. Can the Sunday lineup whatever it may be pull out the sweep, with our weakest link in the rotation starting? Check it out this afternoon.

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Pirates Morning Report: Going From Sellers To Byers On One Swing Of The Bat.

Final Score: Pirates 5 Cardinals 4 in 10 innings

Why The Pirates Won: The offense had an up and down game. On the plus side they got 11 hits, only struck out 7 times and really hit the ball hard. On the negative side they were only 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position with both of those hits coming in the 10th inning. Same thing could be said for the pitching. Jared Jones pitched well but was only allowed to throw 78 pitches despite having extended rest between starts. Colin Holderman did not dance through the rain drops giving up the 2 run homer to Willson Contreras that tied the game 3-3. Here is the thing about Holderman, he has made 32 appearances and has had only 8 clean innings. When you win all is forgiven, even Michael Taylor’s ridiculous bunt attempts in the bottom of the tenth.

Key Moments Of The Game: It was all in the 10th inning. The Cardinals only scored one run and really did not take advantage of the Chapman mistake of not covering first base. In the bottom of the 10th the Pirates could not move the runner over to third base again and you thought we are going to lose. But then McCutchen walked and the Cardinals brought in lefty JoJo Romero and his 2.61 ERA. Bryan Reynolds took his 4th pitch into center field for a base hit that tied the game. Oneil Cruz wasting no time took the first pitch and lined it down the right field line for another hits and the Pirates had an amazing win.

Next Game: This afternoon, Cardinals in Pittsburgh. Martin Perez will start today and let’s hope he can get his act together. The bullpen got pretty much depleted yesterday. I would assume Ortiz will be available for a couple of innings. It is essential that Perez goes a solid 6 innings.

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Pirates Morning Report: All Is Forgiven When You Win

Final Score: Pirates 3 Cubs 2

Why The Pirates Won: This was a very big win for the Pirates that could have easily been a very embarrassing loss. The Pirates had 10 hits, 6 walks, but could only score 3 runs. They were 1 for 17 with runners in scoring position. They left 12 men on base. They had runners on base in every inning. They had 1st and 3rd nobody out in the top of the 8th but could not get a much needed run across the plate. Rowdy Tellez was up 4 times and made 6 outs. The Cubs only had 2 hits to go along with 4 walks and 2 hit batsmen but managed 2 runs. They scored on 2 sacrifice flies and were 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position. On the pitching side Mitch Keller went a solid 6 innings and threw only 83 pitches. The Pirates decided to go to the bullpen and this time it was a good decision. Both Colin Holderman and Aroldis Chapman threw clean 7th and 8th innings and looked dominate doing it. David Bednar came on in the bottom of the 9th and after 2 outs committed the cardinal sin of putting the tying run on base via the base on balls. Bednar got Patrick Wisdom to pop out down the line to shallow right field and Pirates escaped with a victory. All is forgiven when you win.

Key Moment Of The Game: The score was tied 1-1 going into the top of the 5th. With one out Andrew McCutchen walked. Bryan Reynolds hit a sharp ground ball that was knocked down by the 1st baseman, but he could not hold on to it. Reynolds was called out, but the call was overturned. Jameson Taillon then wild pitched the runners to 2nd and 3rd. He got the big strike out on Oneil Cruz to get the 2nd out. Craig Counsell then decided to make a pitching change. A little surprising considering Taillon had handled Connor Joe pretty well striking him out and popping him out in his 2 at bats. Unlike the Pirates’ move, going to bullpen, this did not work out. He brought in Hayden Wesneski who has been a solid reliever for the Cubs. He walked Connor Joe. Nick Gonzales ripped a 108 MPH single up the middle, giving the Pirates a 3-1 lead. The bullpen came through for the final 3 innings, giving the Pirates the series win.

Next Game: Tomorrow night, Giants in Pittsburgh. The Pirates start a stretch of 36 games, 18 at home and 18 on the road. They have 6 off days during this stretch. It will take them through the end of June and into the mid 70 game mark. They have shown some signs of life during these last 10 days. With all the off days this can only help the pitching. Will the Pirates ever put the best 9 players on the field. It remains to be seen.