Tag: Gopher ball city

Final Score: Pirates 5 Nationals 9

Why the Pirates Lost: The Pirate pitchers, particularly Mitch Keller and Isaac Mattson, were throwing batting practice. They did not realize this was a real game. Together, they gave up 5 home runs, which accounted for 8 of the Nationals’ 9 runs. Keller pitching: 1st home run, a belt-high inner third of the plate, 89 MPH cutter hit 117 MPH, 395 feet. 2nd home run, an 80 MPH “sweeper” that died on the outside third of the plate, knee-high. This pitch was hit 108 MPH, 417 feet. 3rd home run, a 4-seam 93 MPH fastball right down the middle. This one was pounded 106 MPH, some 434 feet. Isaac Mattson came in and gave up a home run on a 95 MPH four-seam fastball that was at least high out of the strike zone. It traveled 106 MPH, landing 413 feet away. Mattson gave up the 5th home run of the night on another non-sweeper that went only 375 feet. For the 4th game out of the last 5, the Pirate pitchers gave up 7 or more runs. The Pirates got 4 garbage runs in the top of the 9th by stringing together 5 doubles. The Pirates continue to do nothing about their pitching problems. How to go from one of the best pitching staffs in baseball to one of the worst in 9 months’ time. Only the Pirates.

Key Moments of the Game: The Pirates were never really in this game but had a slight chance in the top of the 7th. After two were out, Jared Triolo doubled, and two walks loaded the bases for Bryan Reynolds. He swung at a strike. The next two pitches were low and inside. He then took a pitch that was on the knees and on the inside of the plate. He then swung at an 87 mph slider that was almost in the dirt to strike out. The Nationals added two in the 7th and two in the 8th to put the game away. Before the 9th inning, the Pirates were 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position, stranding 10 runners.

Next Game: Late morning, Nationals in D. C. Braxton Ashcraft will start for the Pirates today. Let’s hope that he can stem the tide and deliver a strong performance on the mound. If the Pirates don’t win today, they will be playing to avoid a sweep on Sunday, a scenario that could weigh heavily on the minds of the players. The Nationals are red hot, showcasing impressive skills and momentum that could prove challenging for the Pirates. After facing the Nationals, the Pirates will have six crucial games at home against the Braves and the Brewers, where every game could be a turning point in the season. The only good thing is that the Braves have been faltering just a bit recently, which might give the Pirates a glimmer of hope. However, despite these minor advantages, you just get the feeling that this season is slipping away, leaving many fans anxious about the team’s future and questioning whether they can rally back in the coming weeks.