Things went from bad to worse for the Pittsburgh Pirates today as they closed out a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics at PNC Park. After a rough game on Tuesday, Pittsburgh was looking to bounce back and grab a series win. A terrible start from Roansy Contreras put this game out of reach in the first inning as Oakland went on to win 9-5.
Contreras would only collect one out before being pulled for Rob Zastryzny. He would allow seven runs on six hits with two walks and one strikeout. Two of those runs were due to Zastryzny walking two batters with the bases loaded. He would walk three total and strikeout one in 1.2 innings on the mound. Luis Ortiz, who was originally going to start, pitched five innings allowing two runs on ten hits with two walks and one strikeout.
Athletics starter Hogan Harris collected his first win of the year after working five innings, allowing three runs on four hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Oakland then used four pitchers out of the pen to cover the remaining four innings. They would combine to allow two runs on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts.
As far as the Pirates offense, Rodolfo Castro was the star of the game. He hit a solo home run in the second inning and then drove in a pair of runs in the fourth with a double to center. Conner Joe drew a bases loaded walk in the seventh for the fourth run of the game. Pittsburgh got their fifth run in the ninth when Bryan Reynolds hit an RBI single to right center.
Overall, this series was a total disaster for the Pirates. Even the game they won on Monday night was an ugly win, and that was followed up by even two uglier losses. Pittsburgh now has a day off tomorrow before welcoming the New York Mets to town on Friday for a three-game series. New York has struggled this year, so hopefully the day off for the Pirates will give them a chance to hit the reset button and get back on the winning track.
Record vs. Athletics: 1-2
Record vs. American League: 11-18
Record at Home: 16-15
Overall Record: 32-29
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
