Final Score: Pirates 0 Blue Jays 4
Why The Pirates Loss: When you do not score you do not win. There is no question, the Pirates have had some other issues on this 5 game losing streak, but the bottom line is they are just not hitting. They have scored just 6 runs on 26 hits over the last 5 games, and you are not going to win many games with that average. The worst scoring team in baseball is the Miami Marlins, averaging 3.38 runs per game and are playing .500 ball. Compound that with some base running blunders and the Pirates had the perfect recipe for another loss. Rich Hill pitched his typical weird game, giving up 4 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks. He still managed to have some rocket shots hit right at someone.
Key Moment Of The Game: With all the base running mistakes the Pirates made, the Blue Jays made one in the first inning but did not pay for it. With one out in the top of the 1st inning Bo Bichette doubled. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled to left field and Bryan Reynolds pick up the ball in mid to shallow left field just when Bichette was rounding the 3rd base bag. Even though there was only one out, the third base coach waved the runner home and Reynolds threw a weak 3 hopper to the plate that still made it a close play. Any kind of legitimate throw and he is out at the plate. You never know, a big defensive play may have gotten the Pirates untracked. This would be the only run the Blue Jays would need, as the Pirates went quietly down to their 5th straight defeat.
Next Game: Tonight, Blue Jays in Pittsburgh. No question, the Pirates are having a rough stretch right now. The key will be how long will it last. More injuries with Bae and McCutchen having ankle problems is not going to help. All it takes is one game to right the ship. Speaking of rough patches Johan Oviedo takes the mound having given up 11 runs in his last 2 starts. He needs a good game which might lead to a double turn around tonight. One final thought: I have neither the time nor the inclination to go into it, but Greg Brown knows nothing about baseball despite watching it his entire life. The sound will be off the rest of the season. I cannot afford to throw a brick at the TV set.
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