Bucs Bullpen Blasted As Reds Sweep Doubleheader 9-4

The Bucs had a better start in Game #2 against Anthony DeSclafani; Fraze was bopped and with two outs, Redbeard doubled him home. J-Bell followed with a rap, but was thrown out, after review, trying to get to second, continuing the season-long baserunning clinic the Pirates have put on (No reason for J-Bell to go and Moran was slow getting home, not expecting a play). Mitch Keller walked the first batter he's seen in awhile, but a strike 'em out, throw 'em out DP and fly kept the scoreboard blank. In the second, the Pirates got raps from B-Rey and Stalls, but left them aboard. Another leadoff walk cost Kell this time when Brian Goodwin took him deep to give the Reds the lead at 2-1. With two gone, he issued two more free passes; no more runs resulted but he is up to 50 pitches already. Pittsburgh went down in order in the third. In between striking out the side, Kells gave up another blast, this one to Joey Votto. Pittsburgh got a run back on J-Bell's homer in the fourth. Derek Holland took the ball and just a single marred his frame.

Austin Davis did good tonight - photo via MLB.com

The Pirates struck with two outs in the fifth: Fraze singled and Key lined a two-out shot into the seats to put the Bucs up 4-3. Colin took four that missed the mark, and Jose De Leon was waved in. He walked a pair to load the bases, bringing out Sal Romano who stopped the bleeding. After a single, wild pitch and K, Nik Turley was called in for Dutch Oven to set up lefty match with Votto. Nik fanned him, but walked Eugenio Suarez. Lefty Mike Moustakas then took one over the fence, and the Redlegs were back up 6-4. Archie Bradley climbed the slope for the sixth. K-Man greeted him with a knock before Bradley mowed down the next three. Geoff Hartlieb was wild as a hare - he bopped a batter and then walked three Reds, and then it really fell apart. There was a Gonzo error, wild pitch and another walk before Austin Davis came on. He got a K and DP ball, but the damage was done with the score 9-4. In the seventh, Nate Jones put the Bucs away three up, three down.

If you give up nine walks and three homers (out of five hits), bad things are bound to happen; tonight is Exhibit A.

Notes:

• J-Bell had two hits and a walk tonight; Colin Moran and B-Rey each had a walk and a knock.
• The Pirates struck out 25 times in 14 innings today.
• For those with good memories, no, the Reds Jose De Leon is not related to the Buccos old hurler from the '80s, Jose DeLeon.