The Pittsburgh Pirates’ struggles against the American League continued on Friday night with a 4-3 los to the Kansas City Royals. The loss dropped the Bucs to 14-28 on the season, while the Royals improved to 18-28.
Steven Brault fell to 0-3 on the season, giving up three runs on five hits with three walks in his four innings on the mound. Royals’ starter Kris Bubic earned his first MLB win, giving up one run on six hits in five innings of work.
Kansas City jumped out on top early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning to take control of the game. A solo homerun by Adalberto Mondesi got them on the board, and a single by Maikel Franco increased the lead to 2-0. A wild pitch by Brault later in the inning made it a 3-0 score after the first inning.
Jacob Stallings got the Bucs on the board in the top of the fourth inning on a RBI double, scoring Colin Moran. But the Royals added a run, which ended up being the difference in the game, in the seventh on a single by Franco.
Josh Bell’s two run homerun in the top of the eighth scored Bryan Reynolds to cut the lead to 4-3. Unfortunately, the Bucs couldn’t complete the comeback, as the Royals held on for the one-run victory.
The Pirates’ troubles on the road continue, as do their horrific numbers against the American League. This is as frustrating of a season in recent memory, and we can only be thankful that this is an abbreviated year.
The Pirates will face off against the Royals again on Saturday in the second game of the series. Trevor Williams will take the mound for Pittsburgh against Carlos Hernandez for Kansas City.
Record vs. Royals: 0-1
Record vs. American League: 2-13
Record on the Road: 5-14
Overall Record: 14-28
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
