Final Score: Pirates 7 Dodgers 11
Why The Pirates Lost: Another big bullpen failure by the Pirates, blew open a close game, where the Pirates had just come back from a 4-0 deficit to tie the game. Baily Falter had a really bad first inning giving up all 4 runs, but had settled down, not giving up a run over the next 3 innings. He gave up a lead off home run to Teoscar Hernandez to give the Dodgers the lead again 5-4. He had only thrown 78 pitches to that point. Derek (I Am Not Too Sure Who Is On The Team) Shelton decided to make a move. In my view he had these choices to bring in the game. Ben (The Pitcher From) Heller, Kyle( Why Am I Here) Nicolas, Carmen (Try And Pronounce My Name) Mlodzinski, Luis (I Haven't Pitched Since Sunday) Ortiz or Justin (New Guy) Bruihl. Shelton chose in a close ball game in the 5th, Heller who really wasn't even lighting it up in AAA. Before you could say fire Shelton the score was 10-4 highlighted by a 3 run homer by Mookie Betts, that flew 410 feet, on a slider right down the middle. The Dodgers probably made the last 2 outs on purpose because they knew the game was over. All of this wasted a good offensive performance by the Pirates as they scored 7 runs on 14 hits only marred by the fact that they struck out 15 times.
Key Moments Of The Game: Shelton's bullpen decisions contributed to breaking the game open, but it was Barry (Maybe I Should Warm Up More) Falter's slow start that was reminiscent of his first start of the season that put the Pirates in an immediate hole. Three batters into the game and score was 3-0. Six batters into the game it was 4-0. The start gave the Dodgers a much-needed confidence boost. Even though the Pirates did manage to tie the game to give the fans some hope, Shelton dashed all of that with his stupid bullpen decisions. Who would I have put in? I would have gone with Ortiz or Mlodzinski. Certainly, they could not have done any worse. They may be thinking of starting Ortiz on Saturday, but if they are, why not announce that right away. If that is the case, then I would have chosen Bruihl. Regardless, you needed someone in that situation with some kind of experience.
Next Game: Tonight, the Twins in Pittsburgh. Tonight's game is going to be on Apple TV. I heard when this was announced that Apple stock dropped 10%. Mitch Keller is starting tonight and is on a roll. The Twins have been one of the streakiest teams in baseball. They have had a 12 game winning streak and a 7 game losing streak with a 4 and 5 game losing streak thrown in. They are just coming off being swept by the Yankees. Let's hope the streakiness continues.
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