PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Masked by a couple of great pitching performances recently is the Pirates struggle to score runs. It caught up to them on Wednesday as the Brewers beat the Bucs 3-2.
A two-run homer from Bryan Reynolds in the third inning was the only offense as the Bucs had only three runners in scoring position and had four total hits on the night.
“We hit some balls hard tonight,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. “The ball Rowdy Tellez hit in the first, I don’t know how it didn’t get out. Off the bat, I thought for sure it was a homer. Triolo just missed one, Cruz just missed two. I thought we actually took some better swings today, we just didn’t flush something up on the barrel.”
“I think, and you guys would probably agree, we are pretty close,” Triolo said. “A lot of really good swings in the series so far. We’re close.”
Pirates have scored 15 runs in the last eight games or less than two runs a game
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Bullpenning
While not crisp, it was a solid bullpen game for the Pirates and they gave up no earned runs (although a run was charged to Ortiz for making error). Josh Fleming, Luis Ortiz, Roansy Contreras, Hunter Stratton combined to give up seven hits, all singles, walked five and struck out eight.
Ortiz had the roughest appearance, he came on in the third with one out and runners on first and second. He allowed a single, hit a batter on an 0-2 pitch, hit another batter to drive in a run and walked in a run.
“We can’t hit Hoskins on a 3-2 pitch and miss by that much,” said manager Derek Shelton. “The one that was frustrating is that he had Adames 0-2 and I think he was going to get a clock violation. Instead of stepping off or even taking the clock violation. He rushed through it and hit him in the back with a slider. Those are thinks we have to avoid because they end up costing us runs.”
“I go out to try to get a scoreless inning,” Ortiz said through interpreter Stephen Morales. “It didn’t go my way. I tried to ease out the first, but it didn’t go my way.”
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Up Next
Pirates wrap up the homestand with Mitch Keller (2-2, 4.80 ERA) starts against Milwaukee RHP Freddy Peralta (2-0, 1.90 ERA) at 12:35 on 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA. Paul Alexander hosts the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show starting at 11:35a.