Buc Bats Quiet in 3-2 Loss

The Bucs got a Fraze knock and S-Rod walk in the first off Tanner Roark but no damage resulted. Jamo tossed a clean frame, even whiffing Bryce Harper. The Bucco second was a grounder, walk, 6-4-3 DP; been a lot of them going around lately. After a single that Gregory should have tucked away, Fraze threw away a ball he should have eaten trying for a DP (w/o much help on the other end from J-Bell) allowing the runner to get to second, where he scored on a single. In the third, Gregory had a two-out rap, but was caught stealing to end the frame. JT gave up a leadoff double and this time walked Harper intentionally; it worked out as the scoreboard remained unlit. 1-2-3 for the Pirates in the fourth while the Nats banged consecutive one-out knocks. A wild pitch (actually, a missed bunt that Cervy muffed) and two more knocks, one by Roark through a drawn-in infield, made it 3-0 before another DP ended the inning; the 7-8-9-1 hitters did in Taillon this frame.

Jamo's not there yet but getting closer (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

In the fifth, it was a Cervy single, Red Beard DP, Jordy single, and Jameson helping himself with an RBI double. DC went quietly. The Pirates didn't get a ball out of the infield in the sixth. It was calm for Jamo too, with J-Bell digging out another wayward Fraze throw to get the last out. Corey D worked a full count to open the seventh and hammered the eighth pitch over the wall and into the second deck (and was choked up on the bat). JT was done after 101 tosses and Richard Rodriguez got the call, as Michael Feliz tossed 27 pitches yesterday. After a K, the Nats got a single off Jordy's glove. A fly and tag got Trea Turner to second despite a strong throw by Gregory; the Bucs challenged. Jordy missed on the first swipe, which cleanly beat the runner, but Turner came off the base. The judges ruled that Mercer was late on that tag, too. Harper was intentionally walked again and a fly ball turned the page.

Ryan Madson took over in the eighth and worked the frame cleanly. Kyle Crick toed the rubber (not sure why Kontos sat; he's had back-to-back 11-pitch outings; maybe this is an audition day for bullpen roles) and stranded a one-out double. Brandon Kintzler climbed the hill and the Pirates couldn't get a ball out of the infield against him.

Kyle Crick got some back end action tonight (photo Robbie Rogers/Getty)

The Pirates started three guys who finished the game hitting above .250 - Dickerson, Cervelli and Moran. The once deep lineup needs J-Bell and Gregory to wake up. The pitching has gotten much stronger with a couple of starters beginning to get into a rhythm and the rearranged bullpen shaping up, but even during the win streak, it was a big load for the staff to carry. With Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg lined up next, it's not gonna get easier.

Notes:

• The Pirates had six hits tonight; nobody reached base twice.
• Jamo's two-bagger was his first career extra base hit (and fourth RBI). He smoked it, sending to the track with 100 MPH exit velo.
• The Pirates will flip Nick Kingham into Steven Brault's spot in the rotation. Kingham will start Friday against the Brewers while Brault will return to the bullpen.
• Gift Ngoepe was called up to Toronto from AAA Buffalo.