Tag: A Disgrace

Final Score: Pirates 1 Padres 5

Why The Pirates Lost: The bats went cold, and the brain went dead as far as the Pirate offense was concerned. Rich Hill only gave up 2 runs but could only go 4 and 1/3 innings. He had his at them ball going and would have had the key moment of the game, if the Pirates knew not to swing at balls. The bullpen gave up the final 3 runs on home runs to send the Pirates 13 games below .500. This game was marred by Angel Perdomo throwing deliberately at Manny Machado, after Juan Soto had just blasted a home run off of him. I guess he did not like Soto’s antics after he hit the home run, but let’s face it, that is just part of the game now, and really does no harm. I may not be a fan of it, but this is what it is today. The first pitch to Machado was a 98 MPH fastball that hit him in the upper back, way too close to the head. To the umpire’s credit, after a brief discussion, they tossed Perdomo from the game. If the Pirates management had any testicles at all, they would immediately send him down to AA. Hopefully he may get a suspension. Simply put, Perdomo is a disgrace to the game.

Key Moment Of The Game: This key moment is one of the most painful to write about in the entire season. Going into the top of the 5th with the score 2-1 Padres, Blake Snell was pitching one of his most efficient games of the season. In the 5th the normal Snell was about to appear. After one out he issues a 6 pitch walk to Nick Gonzales. He issues another 6 pitch walk to Liover Peguero. Then of all things, Austin Hedges gets an infield single on a little dribbler to the shortstop area. Now, the Pirates have the bases loaded and one out. He throws 2 balls to Connor Joe that are not close to the strike zone. On the third pitch Joe must have looking for something around the ankles because he swung at it. Instead of it being 3-0 it is now 2-1. Now he takes a pitch for a strike. Then he swings at a pitch that was thrown in the dirt. Great at bat Connor Joe. Snell threw 5 pitches to Bryan Reynolds with only one pitch even being remotely in the strike zone, but Reynolds strikes out anyway. If the Pirates had stood there with their bats on their shoulders, they would have had 2 runs. I will never make fun of Daniel Vogelbach again even though he stinks.

Next Game: This afternoon, Padres in San Diego. Well, the Pirates need a win today to have that .500 road trip. With Johan (I Find Some Way To Lose Every Time) Oviedo pitching, it will be highly unlikely that this will happen. It would be nice just to see fundamental baseball played again. I don’t think the Pirates have it in them to do it.