Tag: Pittsburgh Pirates.

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Pirates Morning Report, Doubles, Anyone.

Final Score: Pirates 3 Orioles 6

Why The Pirates Lost: The pitching just was not there last night. They were touched up for 6 runs, 11 hits and gave up 6 walks. They were lucky that the Orioles only scored 6 runs. It could have been much worse. The Orioles left 12 runners on base and were just 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position. In the first 2 games of the series the Orioles have hit 8 doubles. The Pirate’s bats woke up a little bit with Cruz hitting a 2-run homer and Hayes driving in a run in the 6th. Still, they only managed to get 6 hits for the game. One of those hits was by that dynamic duo of Allen and Van Meter. They went 1 for 5 to keep those averages below .200. It was really good to see those two get some playing time, so the young players could see how not to play baseball. They heavily contribute to every loss. But this loss has to be put on the pitchers. Chase De Jong went so far as to allow a run without giving up a hit by walking 3 batters in one inning. Here, take that extra run to help ensure victory, you don’t even have to swing.

Key Moment of The Game: The Orioles were making an effort to help the Pirates get back into the game by hitting a batter, then walking a batter to start the top of the 8th. Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a sharp ground ball just to the left of second base and Oriole shortstop, Jorge Mateo made a nice diving stop and flipped the ball to second while still on the ground to start a double play which essentially ended the threat.

Next Game: This afternoon, Orioles in Baltimore. I knew it would not be long before Van Meter made it back in the starting lineup to help lose some games. Will they have enough balls to do it 2 games in a row. Bryce Wilson starts tomorrow which does not bode well for avoidance of a sweep. Van Meter or Allen may not need to play.

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Pirates Morning Report, Just a Baseball Thing

Final Score: Pirates 0 Orioles 1

Why The Pirates Lost: When you don’t score any runs you lose. Getting away from the Brewers pitching staff seemed to silence the bats. There were some interesting takes from the game. The Pirates only struck out 6 times and Oneil Cruz had 3 of them. These new Pirates are at least putting the ball in play more. Apparently, Manny Banuelos could start the 8th last night and go into the 9th but could not face Kolton Wong on Wednesday in the top of the 10th. In the top of the 8th Shelton pinch hit for Cal Mitchell, with Greg Allen who is hitting .129 because there was a left hander in the game. Cal Mitchell’s splits are almost exactly the same against right and left hand pitching. Too bad Shelton did not get ejected earlier. Mitch Keller for the second game in a row danced through the raindrops and gave up only 1 run in 6 innings even though he did not have a 1-2-3 inning. It was another gritty tough performance by Keller, but despite what the Pirate website says, it was not a gem. All in all, it was a tough loss for the Buccos.

The Key Moment of the Game: Three times was a charm for the Orioles. They had led off with doubles in the 1st and the 3rd but could not bring them around to score. In the 6th, they led off with a double which set up the only run of the game. They needed a ball that hit Keller in the foot and seeing eye ground ball between Hayes and Cruz to finally score. The Pirates had a couple of minor threats late in the game but could not get the job done.

Next Game: Late afternoon, Orioles in Baltimore. The big question, is this the day that Van Meter gets back in the lineup? I can’t wait to find out. Do you think the Pirate management team ever look at analytics during the game? With the moves they make, or sometimes the lack of moves, it could not be possible. I will be curious to see if the bats can make a comeback today.

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Pirates Morning Report, Who’s on First.

Final Score: Pirates 5 Brewers 4 10 innings

Why The Pirates Won: The Pirates did it all yesterday. The bullpen did the job, as they technically did not give up an earned run, although they came close. Two great defensive plays saved the day for them. Again, the Pirates offense thrived on Brewer pitching, getting 5 runs on 12 hits, 3 walks, striking out only 4 times. Let that sink in for a while, they only struck out 4 times. The highlight of the game may have been when Bob Walk and Greg Brown were trying to figure out when and how Christian Yelich was ejected from the game, followed by the ejection of Craig Counsell. Walk and Brown have nothing on Abbot and Costello’s who’s on first. They were so engrossed trying to figure it out, that they almost ignored the game as the Pirates were in the process of tying it up. Walk was so confused it was hilarious. Who got tossed from the game? Yelich. Who? Yelich After he ran out onto the field? No. He ran out onto the field and then got tossed. No. I don’t think Counsell got tossed. Yes, he did. It didn’t look it. Well, he did. Did what? Got tossed from the game. When? Before Yelich. For running out onto the field. No, Yelich was tossed before that. Are you sure? Not really. Is Counsell in the dugout? Let’s look. It went on and on.

Key Moment of The Game: In the top of the 9th the Brewers loaded the bases on a double, an intentional walk and a hit batsman, with one out. Tyrone Taylor hit a hard ground ball right down the third base line, that Ke’Bryan Hayes made a great backhanded stop , then stepped calmly on the bag at third and threw to first for a spectacular inning ending double play. Ben Gamel made a great catch in the top of the 10th to end that inning with the bases loaded. DUJ, after getting 2 men out in the 10th, completely imploded while The Shadow was still trying to figure out if Yelich was still in the game and if Counsell was still on the bench and did not see the need to get DUJ out of the game. Gamel’s catch saved the day.

Next Game: Tonight, Orioles in Baltimore. It will be interesting to see if the bats can continue to hit after getting away from Brewer pitching or was this just one of those crazy baseball things, like the Pirates beating the Dodgers 5 out of 6 games. The lineup looks good with the young guys in there. The most impressive of the group so far has been Tucupita Marcano who has been hitting well. His defense has never been questioned but he seemed to have problems with the bat at almost every level. He looks great at the plate right now and if that continues, he would be a great asset to this team.

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Pirates Morning Report, Hello Tucupita, and Goodbye Tsutsugo

Final Score: Pirates 8 Brewers 7

Why The Pirates Won: For whatever reason the Pirates seem to thrive on Brewer pitching. Last night they scored 8 runs on 12 hits, accepted 3 walks, and only struck out 7 times. The hits included one double, one triple, and two home runs. The Pirates needed all 8 runs as management decided to try a bullpen game with an exhausted overworked bullpen. They looked it, giving up 7 runs on 12 hits, walking 5 and only striking out 6. Four of the 6 pitchers did pretty well but it was Beede and De Los Santos that gave up all the runs. They won because of what Greg Brown calls the youth movement. I call it the upgrade movement. A starting lineup with no Van Meter or Tsutsugo. That was a recipe for victory.

Biggest Moment of The Game: The Cruz 2-out home run in the bottom of the 7th, after the baserunning blunder by Ke’Bryan Hayes, and yes it was a bonehead play despite what Bob Walk said. It stretched the Pirate lead to 7-4. There would have been no walk off by Bryan Reynolds if Cruz does not hit that bomb.

Next Game: This afternoon: Brewers, in Pittsburgh. Can the Pirates get the sweep? Rumor has it that Derek Shelton was sobbing when he was told the Tsutsugo was DFA’d. He was heard saying “How are we ever going to keep that top 5 draft pick if he is not in the lineup every day. We can’t have a bullpen game every time, it would look like we are not trying to win. Van Meter can only do so much”.

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Pirate Morning Report, It’s The Same Old Song.

Final Score: Pirates 2 Cubs 4

Why The Pirates Lost: Can the Four Tops please take the stage. The slumber company is firing on all 9 cylinders. This time they were able to score 2 runs on 4 hits,0 walks, and struck out 10 times. Five of the nine batters failed to get a hit. Greg Allen has been worth the wait hitting .083. Bryce Wilson, I have to give him credit, after the shaky first inning he gave up only 2 hits and walked one. He only threw 80 pitches in the 6 innings, but again, the Pirates would not let him come out for the 7th inning. He has thrown over 90 pitches 3 times this year. Another example of overuse of the bullpen by The Shadow. The Pirates just do not know how to play baseball. Outstanding job, coaching staff, the team looks lost. Oneil Cruz hit a 2 run homer in the 7th for the Pirates only runs. All that development in AAA has paid off for Cruz. Too bad the Pirate brass don’t think enough of Castillo to help him develop in AAA. Maybe he could have learned to hit right hand pitching. Diego, I think it’s time for you to start looking at the Indeed website.

The Key Moment of The Game: The 3- run 1st inning by the Cubs told you that the game was over. The Pirates have not scored more than 2 runs in 6 of their last 8 games. They get a day off today, their 4th in a row.

Next Game: Thursday, Phillies in Pittsburgh. The last time the Pirates faced a good pitching staff, the Brewers, they surprisingly lit them up. The Phillies staff is 7th in all of baseball in ERA+ and Fielding Independent Pitching. Could it happen again. We can only wait and hope.

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Pirates Morning Report, There Are No Routine Plays For The Pirates

Final Score: Pirates 2 Cubs 3

Why The Pirates Lost: The slumber company continues to not disappoint. Last night, 2 runs, 8 hits, 5 singles, to go along with 2 walks. All of this against a starting pitcher who Greg Brown described as a journeyman pitcher, no disrespect meant scumbag. Greg Brown was full of himself last night, making other comments both positive and negative about many players. You knew he was going to say a lot of inane things, when he started the game by saying that it was likely that Van Meter would be gone by the trade deadline. His words were “It would not be a surprise to see Van Meter on the move by the trade deadline”. VAN METER FOR GOD’S SAKE. Who would want him? The idea is to pick up a player to help you make the playoffs, not one who will guarantee you won’t. Maybe it would be like money ball, and they would get a pop machine in return. The only way that Van Meter will not be on this team by the trade deadline is if he is DFA’d. The bottom line is the Pirates lost another game by playing inferior players, when there are better players either not on the team or not playing.

The Key Play of The Game: Not being able to make the routine play on a ground ball to short resulted in the Cubs scoring the go ahead run in the bottom of the 8th. They charged the error to Cruz, which could change, but the Pirates could not execute the routine play. They made some spectacular defensive plays out there, but the error on the routine play cost them the game.

Next Game: This afternoon, Cubs in Chicago. Bryce Wilson takes the mound today, which just about guarantees a Cub win. The only hope is that the slumber company wakes up, which they do every once in a while. Just hold your breath on those routine plays.

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Pirate Morning Report, Brain Dead Shelton

Final Score: Pirates 5 Marlins 6

Why The Pirates Lost: This all boiled down to the bottom of the 9th inning. For the second day in a row Yoshi Tsutsugo got a big hit, which this time tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth. Tsutsugo was on second base with one out, representing the winning run. Scheduled to bat was Jason Delay, who had already had one hit, and has been on a hot streak. Then Derek (Brain Dead) Shelton, decided to pinch hit for him with Diego Castillo. Castillo against right hand pitching has a slash line of 157/208/217. Delay has a slash line at the moment of 333/385/500. Granted, it is a small sample size, but it is what he is doing right now. He is hitting better against right hand pitching than left hand pitching. We needed a hit to win the game and possibly the outcome would have been the same, but why would you send up Castillo who absolutely stinks against right hand pitching. Needless to say, he struck out, followed by a Newman strike out to send the game into extra innings, where the Pirates lost. The Pirates struck out 18 times yesterday, showing little interest in making contact with the ball. Another brain dead move was taking Keller out after 6 innings even though he had only thrown 74 pitches. The bullpen got through one inning but then imploded to lose the game. Keller may well have able to pitch all the way to the 8th. He gave up a home run and the other 2 runs scored on a hit batsman, 2 bunts and a soft line drive single to left. He was still looking strong after 6 innings. This was a good game that the Pirates should have won, plain and simple. This management team has no interest in winning or making moves that are conducive to winning for the year 2022.

Key moment of The Game: See above.

Next Game: Tonight, Cubs in Chicago. Even though the Pirates managed 5 runs yesterday they only had 6 hits, along with 4 walks. The bats are still cold, but they scored 5 runs which makes this loss tough to take. Who knows maybe Tsutsugo will get hot.

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Pirates Morning Report, The Turtle is Gone

Final Score: Pirates 1 Marlins 8

Why The Pirates Loss: The slumber company had one of their more outstanding games, as they made 21 straight outs after the Jason Delay home run. What was amazing, there was not one tough fielding play in any of the outs. It was about as routine as it could have been. To top it off, they struck out 11 times. I was glad the game was a blow out because the real story of the day was The Turtle being traded to the New York Mets and I, for one, will truly miss him. I will miss all his facial expressions and gyrations at the plates. I will miss the slide and roll which he has perfected. I will miss him having at bats where he never swings at a pitch. He was, by far, the most entertaining Pirate player. Hopefully, the pitcher they got in return will be a long-term asset for the Pirates. It will be interesting to see what he does for the Mets, when the games really mean something. Good luck Turtle, may you get to play in the World Series.

The Key Moment of The Game: There was not really a key moment in this game. It was more of an accumulation of bad luck for starter Zach Thompson. The Pirate booth call the first ball in play in the top of the 4th a Castillo misplay, but it was ruled a hit. Most of the other hits the Marlins got were not hit hard and just found the right holes in the defense. Even though Thompson’s line looked awful, a couple of inches here and there, and he may have only given up a couple of runs. Things always even out, but at least for this game he was snake bit.

Next Game: Tonight, Marlins in Pittsburgh. Quintana goes for the Pirates tonight, and recently he has not looked that good. At one time he looked like he might really bring something at the trade deadline. Now, I am not too sure. Despite the Marlins lighting up the Pirates for 8 runs last night, they are not the strongest hitting team, so he might have a good game tonight. He will at least get one more start before the deadline. If he makes that a good one, maybe he will attract some attention. The big question tonight will be can Yoshi put a ball in play if he is the DH or plays 1st base. Vegas has the odds at 5 to 2 he will not.

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Pirates Morning Report, Mismanagement at Its Best

Final Score: Pirates 4 Marlins 5 in 10 innings

Why The Pirates Lost: I could not believe that they could have started a worst lineup than the one they did the other night, but they managed it. I wonder how many teams this time of the year lead off the game with a batter not hitting .200. I thought the headline might read one hit, one run, and one win, with Brubaker pitching a great 7 innings, allowing 0 runs on 3 hits, 2 walks and striking out 9. That’s what I thought it would be, until DUJ came into the game in the bottom of the 8th. He had been doing a pretty good job lately and got the first 2 outs. Then he imploded by hitting a batter, walking a batter and hitting another batter. He did help speed up the game. A single then drove across the 2 gift wrapped runs. The Pirate staff walked 4 and hit 3 after giving up no walks in the first 2 games of the series. The Pirates battled back with 1 in the 9th and 2 in the top of the tenth to take a 4-2 lead. But they blew the lead in the bottom of the 10th when an obviously tired David Bednar gave up 3 runs on multiple rocket shots and ended this debacle by wild pitching the winning run home. Management was all smiles tonight.

The Key Moment of The Game: Bringing Bednar in for the bottom of the 10th and having no one ready when it was obvious, he did not have it last night. Bednar threw 12 strikes, and they all were either fouled off or rocketed in play, a bunt being the exception, with 2 of them nearly taking his head off. The game would have been over sooner if it were not for a baserunning gaffe by the Marlins that got the 1st out. This game went past Shelton’s bedtime.

Next Game: This Afternoon, Marlins in Miami. I cannot imagine who they might play today or won’t play. It is a shame, because if they played the best players, brought up some better players and cut the dead wood, this team would be so much better.

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Pirates Morning Report, Bottoms Up

Final Score: Pirates 3 Marlins 2

Why The Pirates Won: For the second game in a row, it was the bottom third of the order that carried the load. Jake, yes, I know his name is Jake, Marisnick, Oneil Cruz, and Jason Delay, each drove in a run, and went 3 for 9 for the game. The bullpen continued their resurgence by having a great bullpen game, only allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and again no walks. No free passes for the Marlins for the second straight game. There is no question the most improved Pirate pitcher is Tyler Beede. Last night he was brilliant with 6 up and 6 down, with a little luck at’em ball for the 6th out. It’s hard to believe that we are seeing a player improve once he gets on the Pirates. Whatever Beede has found let’s hope he keeps it. Last night he was throwing 97 MPH with some great movement.

Key Moment of The Game: In the top of the fifth the Pirates had a runner on first with 2 out when Cruz and Delay decided to do some 2 out lightening, bang, bang. Cruz lined a triple to the right field corner and on the next pitch Delay singled in Cruz to give the Pirates a 3-1 lead. The Marlins got a run in the bottom of the 5th to make it 3-2. From that point on, the bullpen went into shut down mode, and the Marlins could only get a check swing single in the top of the ninth, for their only hit in the last 4 innings. THE BULLPEN IS BACK BABY.

Next Game: Tonight, Marlins in Maimi. Will the bottom of the lineup continue to shine? Will Jake Suwinski get a hit before the All-Star break? These are the questions on Pirate fan’s minds right now. Like we always say, who knows, only the Shadow knows.