On Monday night the Pittsburgh Pirates called up 2021 number one pick Henry Davis to make his Major League debut. Davis would go 1-3 with a double and a walk, but the offense continued to slump as they lost 8-0 to the Chicago Cubs. The loss also marks the seventh consecutive defeat for Pittsburgh, with their slide down the Central Division standings continuing.
Chicago would plate three runs in the second, which put this game out of reach. Mike Tauchman singled to center to score two runs. That was followed up by a Nico Hoerner RBI single. Tauchman would strike again in the seventh with an RBI single to put the Cubs up four. He would then score later in the inning when Dansby Swanson singled to left center.
Tauchman continued to bring runs home in the eighth when he reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Yan Gomes. A Hoerner ground out would bring in the seventh run of the night. Tauchman would come around for the eighth and final run when Seiya Suzuki doubled to left center.
Osvaldo Bido pitched six innings for the Pirates, allowing three runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. Ryan Borucki collected only one out, while giving up two runs on two hits in the seventh. The next 1.1 innings belonged to Yohan Ramirez, who allowed three runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout. Yerry De Los Santos covered the next 1.1 innings, De Los Santos would strikeout two, walk one, and give up one hit.
Drew Smyly collected his seventh win of the season after pitching five innings. His line of the five walks, four strikeouts, and three hits allowed is not stellar, but it got the job done for the Cubs. Michael Fulmer pitched the sixth, walking one batter. Julian Merryweather came out of the pen for the seventh, allowing two hits and earning one strikeout. The final two innings belonged to Michael Rucker, who came away with two strikeouts.
It has been ugly as of late, and even with Davis getting the callup, it does not appear any answer for the offense is coming soon. It will take more than one rookie to get things going the way they were in April. Let us not forget that this bullpen has been down in the dumps as well, so who knows if a lead would even be held. Game two of this three game series is scheduled for Tuesday night at 7:05pm.
Record vs. Cubs: 0-4
Record vs. N.L. Central: 10-11
Record at Home: 18-17
Overall Record: 34-37
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
