PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A third consecutive rough outing for Pirates (61-66) starter Carmen Mlodzinski as the Tigers (61-64) take game one of the series 8-5 Monday night. Tigers scored eight and left 13 on base.
Better reliever
Mlodzinski gave up four earned runs over three innings allowing eight hits and walking a batter. The righty gave up two runs in the first and two in the second throwing 42 of 59 pitches for strikes.
Over his last three outings—8.1 innings, 13 earned runs, 20 hits, five walks, five strikeouts. That is a 14.44 ERA in those three starts moving his ERA as a starter to 5.87 compared to a 2.15 ERA as a reliever.
Bullpen also struggled
Isaac Mattson gave up a run over two innings and then in Yohan Ramirez’s first game back from paternity leave, he gave up three runs in the sixth.
Oneil Cruz back on active roster, reaction from Don Kelly
2-out runs in 6th
Down 8-1 in the sixth inning, Nick Gonzales hit a one-out double and then with two outs the Pirates went to work-Rafael Flores and Jake Mangum walked and Nick Yorke brought them all home with a bases-clearing double. Henry Davis then lined a single up the middle for four runs with two outs to cut the lead to 8-5.
Pirates brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh with one out but Brandon Lowe grounded out and Flores struck out.
Up Next
Game two of the series with RHP Braxton Ashcraft (12-5, 3.88 ERA) against Tigers RHP Keider Montero (9-7, 3.22 ERA) as Dan Zangrilli hosts the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show at 5:45p and first pitch on 93.7 The Fan at 6:40p.
Pirates fall back to last place in NL Central
Pirates fall back to last place in NL Central
