PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates struck out 13 times, twice striking out for all three outs in an inning in a 5-4 loss against the Angels on Wednesday afternoon.
"Their bullpen did a good job,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. “The guys that pitched at the end of the game for them – Matt Moore's been doing it for a long time and Garcia's got good stuff. We just have to have better at-bats late in the game."
Bucs got four runs in the fifth inning, three off a double by Oneil Cruz and then Connor Joe singled Cruz home.
“It felt good,” Cruz said. “I went out there really aggressive, just trying to do what happened. Trying to give our team the lead and that’s what I did.”
"This kid's a good player,” Shelton said of Cruz. “I think, as we've talked about, he's missed an entire year, we just need to make sure that we keep him fresh and we keep ramping up at-bats. He's a talented kid and I think we're seeing that over the last five-six-seven days."
Cruz said his hard work has paid off. His hands are in a much better place and he’s been hitting more curve balls off the pitching machine and focusing on the strike zone more.
That was the offense. The other eight innings, three hits, no walks and the 11 strikeouts.
“We have to create our own opportunities,” Shelton said. “We created the opportunity in the fifth, (Cruz) got the big hit, then Connor backed it up, but after that, we didn't get anything going."
After the Pirates took a 4-2 lead into the sixth inning, the Angels started single, single, single before Martin Perez was pulled for reliever Luis Ortiz. The right-hander gave up another single, double and sacrifice fly before getting out of the inning.
"He left a couple balls up with two strikes and I think near the end of (his start), that's what ended up happening," Shelton said.
Aroldis Chapman and Colin Holderman had scoreless innings, each striking out two batters.
The Pirates were unable to follow up a series win against Colorado with two straight. Bucs won back-to-back series previously April 1-4 and 5-7 against Washington and Baltimore.
Davis 1st AAA RBI
It’s likely the most painful way you can drive in a run. Henry Davis was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in Triple A Indy’s game at Louisville on Wednesday. Catching his first game at AAA, Davis went 1-3 with a run scored and a pair of strikeouts.
Other AAA notables
· LHP Cam Alldred started 5 innings, 4 hits, earned run, no walks, five strikeouts, home run
· Jake Lamb’s hitting streak is now 9 games and he’s been on base in every game but one this season. He finished 1-5, double, 18th RBI and the average is .388
· Liover Peguero went 1-3 and his team-leading 23rd RBI
· Nick Gonzales 0-2, run, three walks, average is .358
Up Next
Following an off-day on Thursday, the Pirates finish the homestand with a three-game series against the Cubs. Hmm, the Pirates list TBA as the starting pitcher. I wonder what could be influencing the team listing ‘to be announced’. Regardless of who starts, Dan Zangrilli will be there with the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show at 5:45p on Friday on 93.7 The Fan.