Roansy Contreras started the game for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon. When he left the mound, the game was tied. Unfortunately for the PNC Park crowd in attendance, the Bucs’ bullpen gave up five runs to the Arizona Diamondbacks, resulting in an 8-3 loss.
With the loss, the Pirates dropped the series to Arizona, falling to 24-22 on the season. Contreras pitched five innings, giving up three runs on three hits. Dauri Moreta was tagged with the loss, but each reliever that entered the game for Pittsburgh gave up at least one run.
The Diamondbacks took the early lead when Corbin Carroll hit a solo homerun in the first inning. Pittsburgh tied the game in the bottom of the second when Connor Joe scored on a wild pitch.
Arizona took the lead back in the third inning, when Jose Herrera scored on a wild pitch by Contreras. A single by Pavin Smith in the fifth inning increased the D-Back’s lead to 3-1. But the Bucs tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a two-run double by Tucupita Marcano, scoring Joe and Rodolfo Castro. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, it was the last time they would score.
A single by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. scored Christian Walker in the sixth inning to put Arizona back in front by a run. Ketel Marte followed with a RBI single in the seventh to make it 5-3. Then Walker put the game out of reach in his final two at-bats of the game. A two-run double in the seventh made it 7-3, and a single in the ninth scored the Diamondbacks’ eighth and final run of the game.
This was a disappointing finish to this weekend’s series for the Pirates. After winning the first game in blowout fashion against one of the game’s best pitchers put the Bucs on the fast-track to winning the series, and to fall apart late in each of the last two games at home is very discouraging.
Unfortunately, things will not get any easier on this homestand. The Texas Rangers come to town for a three-game series, beginning Monday evening. Dane Dunning, sporting a 4-0 record and 1.69 ERA, will be on the bump for the Rangers against Luis Ortiz for Pittsburgh.
Record vs. Diamondbacks: 1-2
Record vs. N.L. West: 7-5
Record at Home: 11-11
Overall Record: 24-22
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
