Thursday, April 9, 2015

Pirates - Too Much Votto, Hamilton, Frazier Again As Reds Win 3-2

Another day, another loss for the bullpen *sigh*. For the third time in three games, the Piarets and Reds were tied in the eight; and for the third time, Cincinnati pushed in the winning run.

The Bucs scored first in the fifth. With the bases juiced and two down, El Coffee rolled a ball to short. Energizer Bunny Josh Harrison steamed into second, causing Zack Cozart to double pump and flip to first; no chance there, as Polanco beat the rap. Pedro added another in the next frame, hammering an Anthony DeSclafani first pitch two seamer into the seats. It didn't take long for the Reds to tie. Billy Hamilton got aboard on a force and stole second (he swiped two more sacks today). Joey Votto fell behind 0-2, took a chase pitch and then dropped an AJ knuckle curve into the first row of center in GABP to tie the score. Note to self: ignore Hamilton when he's aboard or Votto will end up MVP.

It stayed tied until the ninth, when Cincy walked it off again. Rob Scahill gave up a double to Todd Frazier, who moved to third on a weak roller. Bruce was intentionally walked to set up the DP, but Marlon Byrd instead lifted a short fly to right. It knuckled ever so slightly on Polanco and went off the end of his glove. He still may have had a play, but slipped to compound matters, and in to score rolled Frazier. Gotta catch the ball before you can throw it, a lesson that El Coffee is probably going to remember a bit better after today.

El Coffee - the good, bad & ugly today (Bowman Black 2013 series)

AJ tossed well, whiffing seven and like Frankie, eating some outs after a rain delay. The Pirate offense came up small again. They were 1-for-7 w/RISP, and struck out 11 times (Sanchez three times), and that lack of productive at-bats bit them again. Well, on to Milwaukee and hopefully a reversal of their hitting fortunes. Jeff Locke gets the call.

  • Pedro Alvarez's sixth inning bomb was the 2,500th homer in GABP history.
  • Jung-Ho Kang got his first taste as a Bucco, playing short in the ninth and fielding a weak grounder, getting the runner. He didn't bat.
  • Chris Stewart is beginning his rehab assignment tonight with Altoona, and Jaff Decker began a rehab assignment with Indy.

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