A double and a couple of grounders made it 1-0 Mets in the first against Jamo; the Bucs stranded a pair against Brock Stewart. The second was worse for Jamo; a knock and couple of walks loaded the bases and back-to-back singles, one a bloop by the pitcher, made it 4-0. But no el foldo for the Bucs. They came back with a vengeance in the third, sparked by a Jamo single and Starling Marte homer. The Pirates loaded the bases for Josh Harrison, who doubled off the Clemente Wall - ten more feet toward the gap and the lower wall and it would have been a granny - for two runs and a JJ roller made it 5-4. Then it went downhill. JT walked a couple in the fourth and a hard-hit, two-out shot at third came up on J-Hay, off his glove and tied the game. The D couldn't come up with another play in the sixth when Adrian Gonzalez's grounder up the first base line eluded J-Bell for a double (and congrats, it was his 2,000th hit) off Johnny Barbato. He came home following a two-out single when the Bucs couldn't turn a DP ball a batter earlier. Edgar Santana gave up a walk and a dinger to the first pair of Dodgers he saw, and that was plenty for LA as they took the second game 8-5.
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| Edgar had a rough start but finished well (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates) |
It's pretty much a foregone conclusion now that Pirates are playing for 2018 spots, maybe even Clint. So let Brault, Santana, Moroff, Glasnow, Kingham, Meadows, Neverauskas, Luplow and company get their audition in the next few weeks; their development should make the struggle bearable.
Notes:
- J-Bell had two hits and a walk, Cutch & Jordy had a knock and a walk, and Fraze walked twice.
- Jamo struggled mightily tonight - he went five IP, gave up five runs on five hits and five walks with one whiff while tossing 101 pitches. The walks were a career single-game high; he had never issued more than three walks in an outing before.
- The Pirates have lost eight of 10. The Bucs have scored five runs or more in six straight games but the pitching has gone completely south.
- The paid attendance was 17,288.
- Ex-Bucco IF Phil Gosselin has been called up by Texas, which had recently acquired him via waivers and then stashed the Goose in AAA.
2 comments:
The pitching has gone completely south, indeed. Not sure what to think about that, Ron. Certainly Cole and Taillon have the first round pedigrees---and, at times, they've had the results. But not lately. Nova is a guy I always liked. I don't think you're as enthused about him as I have been, but he was very good for us last year and quite effective this season until his knee started acting up. Kuhl has really good stuff but seems to have trouble getting deep into games. I wonder if he's not ultimately better suited to the 'pen? Williams has done fairly well in the fifth starter role, but he's still a #5 and nothing to write home about IMO.
Going forward, I suppose if Cole and Taillon can both finally be what they were thought to be, the Pirates ought to be in the thick of things in 2018. If not, then not. I would certainly help if Glasnow could replace Williams and finally fulfill some of his potential. Or, if Brault could beat out Williams. But it all hinges on Cole and Taillon seems to me.
There's still some churn left with the rotation, Will. Glasnow, Kingham and Brault will get looks for 2018. And no, I do like Nova, just not as a top-ender; he's a three/four guy to me and perfectly capable in that role. I think at least a couple of young guys from the Neverauskas, Santana, Holmes group will get jobs in the pen. Be interesting to see who takes Nicasio's spot; he was pretty strong as the eighth inning bridge. Might need to dip into the FA market for that spot.
As for the starters sudden ineffectiveness, I have no idea. Doesn't seem like any of them are overworked inning-wise. Maybe it has to do with nagging-type injuries catching up, as you alluded to with Nova. Maybe it has to do with the Pirates fielding which has been way under par this year (the Bucs BABIP is the second highest in NL and fifth in MLB at .313), not just physically but often mentally. Maybe just summer dead arm days, humid weather (Weenie science lesson: balls travel further thru hot humid air than they do thru dry, cooler air. You're welcome, lol) and juiced balls.
Anyway, you're right to focus on next year, Will - I hope they construct a team better than they did this year. Fraze & Meadows give them some OF depth, IF needs work (3B, hmmmm), although getting S-Rod back helps the fifth IF/fourth OF situation beaucoup. Be surprised if they brought in a starter unless a depth guy, but they will go for a pen arm or two.
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