Tag: Pitchers making comeback

Final Score: Pirates 2 Cubs 1

Why the Pirates Won: For the second straight game, the Pirates’ pitching staff held the opposition to one run. This time they had to because the Pirate offense scored just two runs. Carmen Mlodzinski pitched an effective five innings, giving up the one run on five hits while walking three. The Cubs had only two at-bats with runners in scoring position. Wilber Dotel came in and pitched three strong innings out of the bullpen. He only gave up one hit and struck out four while walking none. He was able to get his first Major League win thanks to a seventh-inning home run by none other than Henry Davis to make it 2-1 Pirates. It was his fourth home run of the season. While he really did not have anything to do with the scoring, Oneil Cruz had a nice game going 2 for 4, batting fifth and playing center field. This is what he should do for the rest of the season. We can only hope and pray. Gregory Soto pitched a clean ninth to earn the save and send the Cubs to their ninth straight defeat.

Key Moments Of The Game: The Cubs made some noise after 2 were out in the top of the 2nd. They got back-to-back singles and a walk to load the bases. This brought up Dansby Swanson to the plate. Mlodzinski struck him out on 4 pitches, with the last pitch being a beautiful sweeper. In the top of the third, the Cubs were able to get runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs. Michael Conforto hit a soft liner down the left field line that The Password was able to corral. The Cubs got a home run in the top of the 5th to tie the game but could never really put up a threat the rest of the game. They had some chances early but could not get the big hit. This is what happens when you are in the midst of a losing streak.

Next Game: Tonight, the Cubs are in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are sending Braxton Ashcraft to the mound tonight. He is on a bit of a roll; his ERA this season is 2.89. The Cubs are countering with lefty Jordan Hicks, who they just called up from AAA. He has a lifetime ERA of 5.21 in a 26-game career. On paper, this does not look like the matchup the Cubs need to snap a 9-game losing streak. He is another lefty who has reverse splits: left-handed batters are hitting .327, while righties are hitting .279. It will be interesting to see how many left-handed batters play for the Pirates, as they tend to ignore reverse splits. All losing streaks have to end sometime. Will the Pirates help the Cubs end theirs tonight?