Helplessly Hoping...Pirates Drop Another 1-0 Game

Atlanta jumped on Chris Archer for a run on a two-out rally, with a double/single combo doing the damage. Byrse Wilson had a dream MLB start by fanning the first two Buccos in a clean start. The Bravos opened the second with another two-bagger, but Arch worked out of it. J-Bell singled to lead off then *will it never end* Cervy bounced into a 6-4-3 DP, followed by a Red Beard knock and Kevin Newman bounce out. The two grounders were smoked, both hit harder than the singles. Arch again gave up a double to start the third and stranded him again while throwing in a two-out walk. It was an easy frame for young Mr.Wilson. Clint and the doc checked on Arch as he warmed upped for the fourth, but he stayed in. he tossed a 1-2-3 frame, highlighted by the always embarrassing 9-3, Polanco-to-Bell, groundout by Wilson, who was ISO his first MLB hit. (Bryse wasn't loafing; the hit was a liner that Gregory charged nicely in shallow right).El Coffee walked on four pitches with one away and stole second. Bell also walked as Wilson is losing command of his heater. He went to the slider to fan Fran and Red Beard tapped back to the mound; not very disciplined at bats by the pair.

Arch was hors d'combat; we'll see how he's doing tomorrow (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Steven Brault came out for the fifth; looks like Arch did hurt his ankle swinging in the third. Steven gave up the Bravos third leadoff double of the match. He bopped Freddie Freeman an out later on an 0-2 pitch, but an at 'em ball to left and a caught stealing calmed the seas. Hechy doubled and Steven walked with one gone; Dickerson hit into a 4-6-3 DP, sheesh - he didn't see a strike; plate discipline is killing these guys. Atlanta opened the sixth with a rap and hey, it must be contagious - the Braves hit into a 1-4-3 DP, followed by a grounder. Lefty Sam Freeman took the ball and gave up a two-bagger to Gregory with an out followed by a two-out walk, but no clutch knock was to be had. The Pirates can't keep the leadoff hitters at bay. A walk and knock (the pitch before the single was crushed by Adam Duvall; an ump review verified it as barely foul) to open the seventh brought in Edgar Santana. He served an around-the-horn DP (what have the groundskeepers done to this infield anyway?) and pop to save Brault's bacon. Brad Brach answered the call. Hechy singled with an out and a K later, southpaw Jesse Biddle was called to face Corey D. Corey singled and Hechy was waved home but cut down; good call by Joey Cora, good throw by Ender Inciarte, good slide by Hechavarria and bang-bang at the dish on a call that could have gone either way; a challenge didn't change things.

Kyle Crick rocked the rubber in the eighth and gave up a two-out flare followed by a bopped batter, but no damage resulted; Kyle took a liner off his back, stayed with out and got the last out. Johnny Venters worked a 1-2-3 frame. Keone Kela was beckoned for the ninth. He gave up a bloop knock, quickly hosed by Cervy trying to swipe second, to start a clean inning. Dan Winkler was on the bump and Amore greeted him with a rap, with J-Grove coming in as a pinch runner. After Freeser K'ed, the chastised Starling hit for Kevin Newman and rolled out weakly, moving Big Joe to second. Hechy fanned on a high 3-2 cutter and the Bucs lost their third 1-0 game in five outings.

Gregory looks like he's busting out again (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Who'd thunk the Bravos first inning run would be the game? There must be something in the air; the two teams went 2-for-21 with RISP and stranded 17 runners. This one came down to call at the plate that was truly a coin flip; Hechy may or may not have sneaked under the tag by a whisker, and the play was so tight that whatever the plate umpire called would have stood. Still, this offense needs a boot in the pants; they look at at (or miss) balls in the hunting zone and fish too much. It's just a pity to have your guys toss five straight one-run games and be 2-3 over that span.

Notes:

• Hechy had two hits; Gregory, J-Bell & Cervy had a knock and a walk.
• There were 16,445 in the house tonight.
• Pedro Martinez on Arch: "Archer has great stuff, but he is exposing the ball too early and away from his body. That makes him lack deception in his delivery." Hmmm...Uncle Ray?
• Archer hasn't gotten past the fifth in any of his four Bucco starts, lasting just 18-1/3IP total. He did look a little sharper before his departure, working in some two-seam sinkers to go with his heater/slider combo. He had an excuse tonight with his leg injury; the Bucs will reevaluate it tomorrow, although it seems minor.