Wheels Come Off Late, Bucs Continue Spin With 6-1 Loss To Phils

The Phils opened with a single and double around a whiff, followed by a 10-pitch walk. Another K got Jordan Lyles an out away from escaping, and a fly provided the key. Bryan Reynolds singled and stole second with an out against Jake Arrieta, for naught. The second was much quieter; the bottom of Philly's order struck out. Corey D singled with an out and stole second; with two outs and an open base, the Phils decided to work on eight-hitter Eli. Bad decision; he singled Corey home to give the Bucs first blood. There was no action by either gang in the third. With an out in the fourth, JT Realmuto doubled, but was caught in a rundown trying to go to third on an infield bleeder; so far, so good for Jordan. Redbeard singled with one gone; his happy feet got him thrown out at second in a close call trying to stretch it. Look like a challenge was in line (good throw, bad tag) but Clint didn't throw the flag. Corey then singled, making it a big out, and it all combined for another zero. In the fifth, Lyles fired an 0-2 heater down Broadway and Adam Haseley banged it out of the yard. An out, infield single and DP finished the frame. Three grounders, three down for the Bucs.

Jordan bounced back after a long MIA stint; hopefully he can build on tonight.
photo - Dave Arrigo/Pittsburgh Pirates

Jordan was facing the middle of the order for the third time in the sixth. After consecutive K's, he gave up back-to-singles to leave Phils on the corners (the second off of Fraze's mitt); Lyles was swapped out for Ric Rod after a 98-toss outing. RR did his job with a three-pitch punch out. J-Bell worked a two-out walk. Redbeard doubled him to third, and Corey was walked with first open. Ol' matey Juan Nicasio was waved in to face K-Man. Newman wasted the at bat, swinging at three balls and tapping back to Nicasio. Ric Rod gave up a knock and a walk with one gone in the seventh. He got a force, but Bryce Harper singled (even though first base was open and Harper's a lefty...). A walk loaded 'em up, and Clint stuck with Ric Rod v Realmuto, who flew out. Jose Alvarez took the bump and hurled a clean inning. Kyle Crick got the eighth. He gave up a one-out walk, then with two away, a walk and knock. It cost; an infield single to end a 13-pitch at bat put up another tally; it was a case of Jean Segura beating Crick to the bag by a hair after Josh went after a ball that was Fraze's to play. Clay Holmes came in to face Harper (Why no Frankie? Harper hits lefties better than righties this year). Clay fell behind 3-1, but eventually got him on a comebacker.

Cole Irvin toed the slab and tossed a 1-2-3 frame. Clay stayed on in the ninth. Singles put runners on the corners; a throwing error by Holmes scored one while a wild pitch and double plated two more before the dance ended with a 6-1 count. Corey got a bleeder single and that was all she wrote for the Bucs.

Colin was in the swing tonight - photo Joe Guzy/Pittsburgh Pirates

Ultimately, the attack lost the game; they're in a slump that coincides with J-Bell's cold spell. But the Pirates need to do things cleanly to win. They got the starting pitching today (good to see Jordan feeling his oats after a rough opening frame) before walks and the fielding did the pen in; free runners are a Bucco bane. The team is competitive, but they have to not beat themselves so often. And of course, we have Clint's bullpen management; that's partially an issue because of his quirky usage, but also a reflection of what he's got to work with, which is the GM's problem.

Notes:

• Corey Dickerson had three raps and Redbeard added a pair; they accounted for five of the Pirates seven hits.
• Ric Rod's streak of 19 consecutive scoreless outings was snapped tonight; it dated back to June 2nd.
• Bryan Reynolds stole his first MLB base tonight on his third try. He swiped 15-of-24 in three-plus minor league campaigns. It took Corey 35 games, but he got his first steal of the year on his first try tonight - he was 8-of-11 in 2018.
• There were 34,117 tickets out for tonight; seems like quite a few ended up in the hands of Philly fans.
• Four of Pittsburgh's eight relievers give up 4.6 walks+ per game; the overall 4.3 walks per game by the bullpen is the second highest in MLB.
• Hunt Auctions will sponsor an autograph session at PNC Park tomorrow with current and old Buccos from the '79 squad from 9:30-3. Info is at Pirates-Hunt Auctions.