We knew things could get ugly without Andrew McCutchen in the lineup, but tonight for the Pittsburgh Pirates it was the bullpen that let things get out of hand in game one of a three game series against the Miami Marlins. At the end of the day the Pirates would fall to the Marlins 6-3.
Charlie Morton took the ball for Pittsburgh tonight, and while he found himself in a few jams, he was able to induce some ground balls and double plays to keep the scoring to a minimum. He was able to work a total of seven innings giving up one run on six hits while walking and striking out four. That lone run was a Marcell Ozuna double to shallow left.
The Pirates offense looked lackluster at best tonight, though they carried the lead into the eighth. The first run came in the third when Jordy Mercer connected on a double that scored Starling Marte. It wouldn’t be until the seventh inning that another Bucco crossed the plate. That is when Gregory Polanco brought in Neil Walker with a single to left. Walker would leave the game before the eighth with what may be a continuation of back problems.
It would be that eighth inning in which the wheels fell off for Pittsburgh. It would take four Pirates pitchers to record the three outs in the inning. Jared Hughes, Justin Wilson, Jeanmar Gomez, and Stolmy Pimentel allowed four runs on three hits with four walks and one strikeout. There would be on unearned run that crossed the plate because of a Josh Harrison fielding error at third. Pittsburgh was able to add a run in the ninth on a single to center by Chris Stewart.
With a lead in the eighth, I have to question why Clint Hurdle would not use Tony Watson as the setup man, especially after a day off. With no timetable on McCutchen’s return or what is going on with Walker, it could be a very long rest of the season for our beloved Buccos. They will need to shower this one off as game two will take place tomorrow night.
Record vs. Marlins: 2-2
Record vs. N.L. East: 12-6
Record at Home: 34-22
Overall Record: 59-53
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
