PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Even with a now seven-game losing streak and losing nine of ten, the Pirates are staying the course despite recent struggles. They are in to win now.
"We are still focused on one thing and that's winning as many games as we can," said Pirates GM Ben Cherington on his radio show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network Sunday before the Dodgers game. "Making every effort to make every game count between now and September. I still believe it's possible we could push ourselves into October."
"We understand where we are in the standings. I believe this team is capable of going on a really good run still ahead of us."
The Bucs general manager said he knows talk is cheap and they have to go out and do it consistently. He reiterated the goals haven't changed and at this point with the organization he said the goal is to be in the playoffs every year. So regardless of how the season plays out, they want to play important games in September and October."
Cruz improving
No matter how frustrated you might get a fourth-year Pirate shortstop Oneil Cruz, there is no doubt he has taken a step forward offensively. He has career-highs in home runs, RBI, doubles along with a .258 average and .780 OPS.
"To his credit, he's worked really diligently to make some adjustments," Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. "He's become a more consistent offensive threat. What he is doing is minimizing the emptier at bats. He can still improve that. He's become a bigger threat against lefties."
Cherington added there is more there for Cruz and that includes on the defensive end at shortstop. He said Cruz has worked as hard on the defensive part as he has on the offensive part of the game. Cherington said Cruz went through a rut against Houston and has been less consistent on offense recently.
"In order for the Pirates to win the way we want to, we need a more steady performance defensively at short," Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan. "He knows that. We know that. He's so talented and working so hard, we are continuing to challenge him."
"We believe in him and what he is capable to doing. With players like this who are so talented and can change the game in the way that he can, you have to give yourself every chance to see the fruits of that talent."
They have seen more fruit and know Cruz's improvement would go a long way to reach those goals.
