Final Score: Pirates 1 Giants 3
Why The Pirates Loss: This was another game where the good team wins, and the mediocre team loses contributing to their own loss in a big way. The Pirate bats were particularly bad this game. They did get 7 hits to along with 3 walks but were 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and left 9 men on base. I think it is time to get Suwinski out of the leadoff spot. His last two at bats were particularly discouraging. With runners in scoring position, he took first pitch fastballs that were right in the middle of the plate both times. The first at bat the pitch might have been inner third, but it was the perfect pitch to drive. If you do not swing at it, that is not going to happen. It was a great performance by Johan Oviedo as he gave up only one hit, unfortunately it was a home run, struck out 10 and did walk 3. It was nice to see him get back on track and hopefully we will see this kind of performance the rest of the season.
The Key Moment Of The Game: In the top of the 8th the Pirates brought in Carmen Mlodzinski in to pitch. After getting one out, he walked the next batter on 4 pitches. Then on a 0-2 count he throws Joc Pederson a pitch out over the plate just above the knees and he drills it into right field for a single. Then the Pirates make the right move, and it still doesn't pay off. They bring in David Bednar when the game is on the line. He strikes out the first batter he faces. He gets ahead of Michael Conforto 1-2. He out does Mlodzinski by throwing the next pitch out over the plate, except this time it is belt high. Here, have a hit. Conforto drives the ball into right for a single, then the Pirates throw the ball around(Do the Pirates have a catcher than can throw the ball to 2nd base) that allows the Giants to score a 3rd run, which was critical. In the bottom of the 9th the Pirates got a runner to 3rd base with one out. With a 2 run cushion the Giants did not have to play the infield up. The Pirates made 2 outs and the game was over sending the Pirates to 10 games below .500.
Next Game: Today at Noon, Giants in Pittsburgh. Friday night the Pirates were on Apple TV and today they are on Peacock in what they call the opener or something like that. All I can say is these streaming services must think that baseball fans want some comic relief or why would you keep televising the Pirates. The Pirates have been on Apple TV 3 out of the last 4 Fridays. I am not complaining. It is such a pleasant break from the Pirate announcers. These announcers on the streaming services are not that great but they talk about what's going on during the game, rather than how a guy grips a ball or stands in the batter's box or God knows what they talk about up in that Pirate booth. I swear, I do not think they even watch the game. By the way, the Pirates have called for a throwing practice at 9 AM.
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