The month of May has been a fickle one for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the few games they have won this month they typically have scored a lot of runs. Following those wins have come stretches of little to no offense. That was the case once again today, after scoring eleven runs Friday night Pittsburgh was blanked by the Seattle Mariners 5-0 on Saturday.
Seattle came out swinging, a three run first inning put this game away. Ty France doubled home J.P. Crawford for the first run. France then came around and scored when Eugenio Suarez singled to right center. He then crossed the plate when Teoscar Hernandez doubled to center. Julio Rodriguez drove in the fourth run of the game in the second on a double to center. The final run came in the seventh on a Suarezsac fly.
Pirates starter Vince Velasquez returned from the IL today, Duane Underwood Jr. was DFA’d to make room on the roster, and was roughed up over two innings. He would allow four runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and one walk. Velasquez left the game after two due to elbow soreness, I do not expect to see him back on the mound anytime soon.
The Pittsburgh bullpen did their best to keep them in the game. Jose Hernandez worked three innings, giving up two hits and striking out two batters during that time. He was replaced by Rob Zastryzny, who struck out one and allowed a hit during .2 innings. Dauri Moreta pitched the next 1.1 innings and gave up one run on one hit with two strikeouts. The eighth belonged to David Bednar and he struck out one batter.
Luis Castillo was lights out during his six innings of work for the Mariners. He allowed just one hit, while striking out ten and walking two. Seattle would then use four pitchers to cover the final three innings. They would combine to strikeout seven, walk one, and allow just one hit. The only two Pirates to collect a hit today were Jack Suwinski and Tucupita Marcano.
The injury to Velasquez makes this loss hurt even more, because you would think he would be out long term after back-to-back injuries. Hopefully the Pittsburgh offense can find some sign of life tomorrow afternoon in the series finale. Luis Ortiz will take the bump for the Pirates, while Seattle will counter with Marco Gonzales. First pitch is 4:10pm.
Record vs. Mariners: 1-1
Record vs. American League: 10-15
Record on the Road: 14-12
Overall Record: 26-24
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
