The Pittsburgh Pirates began a three-game series with the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Monday. Pittsburgh has been slumping, but seem to put it together when they open a series. That would not be the case today, as San Francisco routed the Pirates by ten runs. A five fun second inning by the Giants put this game out of reach.
The first two of those runs came on a Patrick Bailey double to right. He then scored on a Brandon Crawford double to right. Two more runs scored when Austin Slater hit a two-run home run. Josh Palacios scored the first Pittsburgh run of the game when Austin Hedges grounded out. San Francisco quickly got that run back in the fourth on a J.D. Davis single to right center.
Jack Suwinski hit the first of his two home runs into the bay in the seventh inning. The Pirates cut the Giants lead to three later in the inning when Ji Hwan Bae scored on a Rodolfo Castro ground out. San Francisco put this game away in the bottom half of the inning when they scored eight runs. Suwinski then hit his second homer of the day in the ninth.
Rich Hill saw his record drop to 4-5 after allowing six runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and one walk. The recently called up Cody Bolton was roughed up for eight runs on six hits with two walks, while only collecting one out in the seventh. Rob Zastryzny collected the final two outs of the inning. Utility man Chris Owings pitched the eighth and gave up two hits.
Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani allowed three runs on eight hits with two strikeouts over seven innings. He was replaced in the eighth by Taylor Rogers who struck out one batter. San Francisco used a position player of their own in the ninth, center fielder Brett Wisely, who allowed one run on one hit.
For all the good that Pittsburgh did in April, it has now officially been wiped away as they drop below .500 for the first time since April 2nd. There does not appear to be a quick fix in store anytime soon. All aspects of the game, hitting, fielding, and pitching, have been roughed up over the past month. There is no better time to turn it around than on Tuesday when these two teams meet up again at 9:45pm. Johan Oviedo is slated to take on John Brebbia.
Record vs. Giants: 0-1
Record vs. N.L. West: 7-6
Record on the Road: 14-14
Overall Record: 26-27
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
