If you want to win at the Major League level you have to have starting pitching. Preferably an ace at the top, a solid middle of the rotation, and a guy in the five hole who will eat innings. The Pittsburgh Pirates definitely don’t have an ace, a solid middle of the rotation guy doesn’t appear often, and an innings eater at this point would be a blessing based on how much the bullpen has been used. Tonight, they would get four innings of work from their starter, but drop game two of this three game series with the Milwaukee Brewers by the final of 7-1.
Trevor Cahill made the start for Pittsburgh and during his four innings on the mound gave up seven runs, six earned, on eight hits to go with five strikeouts and one walk. Milwaukee didn’t waste anytime getting to Cahill as they would take four of those six earned runs in the first inning. A fifth run would cross the plate on an Anthony Alford fielding error. Earned runs five and six would cross the plate in the second inning for the Brewers. All of this scoring would see Cahill’s ERA climb to 9.69. Not exactly the kind of veteran presence the ballclub was hoping to get out of him.
The Pirates offense was hardly a factor at any point during this contest. Their lone run of the night came when Bryan Reynolds scored on a throwing error by Luis Urias. That would be one of three Milwaukee errors made on the night, but they would have little effect on the game. Reynolds and Adam Frazier were the only members of the Pittsburgh offense to record multiple hits, with two apiece. Three others had one hit to count towards their seven on the night.
Sean Poppen and Clay Holmes did a solid job out of the bullpen for the Pirates. Each would pitch two innings with Poppen allowing two hits to go with two strikeouts, while Holmes would strike out two to go along with giving up one hit.
PIittsburgh continues to have an up and down season. They seem to be capable of mustering the type of offense to win games and appear to have a bullpen to make up for any shortcoming that the starting rotation may have. The problem with that is if your starters give up too many runs, your offense doesn’t have time to come back, and your bullpen will quickly be worn down. The rubber match of this three-game series will take place tomorrow afternoon. With Chad Kuhl taking on Freddy Peralta. First pitch is set for 2:10pm.
Record vs. Brewers: 1-1
Record vs. N.L. Central: 4-7
Record on the Road: 2-6
Overall Record: 6-9
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
