Sox Rock Pirates 8-1

JT Brubaker tossed a clean opener with two K. The Bucs had a busy inning against Dane Dunning - Fraze singled, Eric Gonzalez then banged into an around the horn DP, and B-Rey reached on a bad throw, but all to no avail after Redbeard bounced out. The CWS went quietly while the Bucs got a two-out walk from Ke'Bryan Hayes for all the second inning action. It picked up: James McCann homered into the Batter's Eye to lead off the third. Pittsburgh again had nada going against Dunning. The fourth was brutal: a single and error, another single off Redbeard's glove that was correctly overturned from the original out call, a pair of walks, sac fly, and a couple of more raps made it 5-0. It was a 1-2-3 frame for Pittsburgh. Bru stayed on the hill and spun a clean inning in the fifth. J-Bell singled and went nowhere in the Bucco half.

Well, there's still Fraze's streak... - 2020 Topps

JT gave up a two-run homer to James McCann in the sixth and Tyler Bashlor came on. He was tagged for another run on two hits and a walk to run the count to 8-0. There was no peep from the Pirates. Nick Tropeano stranded a double in the seventh. Redbeard opened with a two-bagger and Gio Gonzalez took the ball. He added a walk and wild pitch, but the Pirates remained off the board. Trops left another CWS on the pond in the eighth. A single and a pair of two-out free passes juiced the sacks for the Bucs, who finally put up a point when Gregory was awarded first on catcher's interference. J-Bell hit the hardest shot of the inning to center; it became the third out. The Sox went down in order in the ninth. Steve Cishek walked Stalls with two away before shutting off the life support.

Dunning has run hot and cold this year; he was on tonight. Bru wasn't and took one for the team by hangin' in as long as he did; short starts have been a bane of this club. At least they have a day to regroup...

Notes:

• Fraze kept on keepin' on and extended his hitting streak to 12 games. J-Bell was the only Bucco to reach base twice, on a walk and knock.
• Before the game, the Pirates played a video trib and both teams lined up on the field for a moment of silent remembrance for Vera Clemente. They also cut a 21 into the right field grass.
• The Bucs are off tomorrow before heading to KC for a weekend series.