The Pittsburgh Pirates lost Wednesday night’s game to the Chicago Cubs by a 3-2 score at PNC Park. However, with both teams out of the playoff race and have been for quite some time, there are other important aspects to these games than merely tallying a win or a loss.
Wednesday marked the debut of highly touted prospect Roansy Contreras for the Pirates. The 21 year old right hander took the mound and showed glimpses of the potential of a future rotation piece, perhaps even an ace. Contreras pitched three innings, giving up three hits and a walk to go with four strikeouts. His mound opponent, seasoned veteran Kyle Henricks, gave up a pair of runs on five hits in five innings of work. As most games late in the season do, this one included a barrage of pitching changes, as a total of 12 hurlers between the two clubs.
Willson Contreras was the hitting start of the night for Chicago, who was responsible for all three runs the team would score. His sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth scored Rafael Ortega for the game’s first run.
The Pirates took the lead in the bottom of the sixth with a pair of runs. A triple by Bryan Reynolds scored Yoshi Tsutsugo to tie the game, and a sacrifice fly by Kevin Newman scored Reynolds to give the Bucs a 2-1 lead.
Unfortunately, the lead would not last even an inning, as the Cubs responded in the top of the seventh with two runs which would be the difference. Contreras hit a double to right field, scoring Trayce Thompson and Frank Schwindel for the game’s winning runs.
Obviously, you never want to see the team lose, but Wednesday night was more about getting a glimpse of the future. Contreras certainly looks promising as a key piece to the future, and Wednesday night’s performance did nothing to negate those expectations.
As for the team, the Bucs will take the field against the Cubs for the final time this season on Thursday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm.
Record vs. Cubs: 5-13
Record vs. N.L. Central: 21-51
Record at Home: 35-42
Overall Record: 59-99
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
