The Pittsburgh Pirates began the week with six games in the city of Chicago. Two of those games were against the White Sox, four were against the Cubs. After losing today 11-8, Pittsburgh left the Windy City with a 0-6 record. I’m not sure when the last time a team lost six straight games against one city, but the Pirates are now on that list.
This was a back and forth game throughout. Pittsburgh got the scoring started in the first when Yoshi Tsutsugo hit a solo home run to center field. Chicago took the lead in the second inning on a pair of solo shots by Matt Duffy and Jason Heyward. There were a total of three grand slams hit today, the first came in the third off the bat of Bryan Reynolds to give the Pirates a three run lead.
It didn’t take long for the Cubs to regain the lead. In the bottom half of the inning Ian Happ would hit a RBI single to left center. Later in the inning Duffy hit the second grand slam of the day to put his team up by a pair. Pittsburgh was able to battle back and tied the game in the fifth. A sac fly by Jacob Stallings got them within one, and a wild pitch would allow Ben Gamel to score to tie the game. The Pirates took the lead for a final time in the sixth on an infield single by Stallings. The third grand slam of the day came off the bat of Cubs first baseman Frank Schwindel, which gave his team the lead for good.
Neither side produced much on the side of pitching, which you would expect when 19 runs are scored. Wil Crowe lasted only three innings and during that time allowed seven runs on seven hits with two walks and one strikeout. Chicago starter Zach Davies worked four innings and during that time allowed six runs on eight hits with three strkeouts and three walks. Pittsburgh used six pitchers out of the pen and they combined to allow four runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and three walks.
As far as road trips go, they don’t get much uglier than this. The Pirates lost in a variety of ways, which showed why they are one of the worst teams in the Major Leagues this year. They will need to shower well tonight as they will be quickly back in action tomorrow afternoon when they welcome the Detroit Tigers to town to begin a three game series.
Record vs. Cubs: 4-12
Record vs. N.L. Central: 17-47
Record on the Road: 20-51
Overall Record: 48-89
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
