Pirates' Offense Struggles In 2-1 Loss To Blue Jays

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Claus Andersen/Getty Images

Last night, the Pirates and Blue Jays played a very entertaining game that featured high-powered offense, lots of homeruns, and some dramatics that came down to the very last pitch.  Tonight was a different story, as the two teams combined for just three runs and thirteen hits, and the result was a 2-1 Toronto victory at the Rogers Centre.

Pirates’ starter Paul Maholm was a victim of lack of run support once again tonight.  Paul gave up just two runs through his seven innings of work, but that was one-run too many on a night where the bats were non-existent for Pittsburgh. His record now sits at 4-9, while his ERA continues to lower, now at 3.17. Tim Wood relieved Maholm in the eighth, throwing an inning of shutout baseball in a losing effort.

The Buccos took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning on Ronny Cedeno’s RBI single to center field, scoring Lyle Overbay.  Cedeno had two of the team’s four hits on the night. 

Toronto responded an inning later when Eric Thames blasted a solo homerun over the wall in left center field to tie the game, 1-1.  After Rajai Davis hammered a double in the seventh, Maholm gave up another two-bagger to Yunel Escobar.  Davis scored what would end up being the winning run for the Blue Jays.

Frank Francisco picked his ninth save for Toronto tonight.  Andrew McCutchen hammered a pitch to the warning track for the first out.  Neil Walker was the second out, and after Overbay drew a walk, Matt Diaz grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

Tonight’s game was a perfect example of the inconsistency of the Pirates.  Last night, the offense erupted for seven runs, and the bullpen let us down.  This was the complete opposite situation tonight, as once again, Maholm pitched well enough to take home the victory, and unfortunately, the offense couldn’t muster more than one run through nine innings of baseball. 

Garrett Jones, Walker, and McCutchen combined to go 0-9 on the night, with Walker’s average dipping below .250.  Cedeno has been hitting the ball well lately, and that continued tonight.  With two more hits this evening, Ronny’s average now sits at .251. 

The Buccos will now face off against the Blue Jays in the rubber match of the three-game series tomorrow evening at Rogers Centre.  Jeff Karstens will take the hill for the Pirates, who are looking to clinch a winning record in Interleague Play this year.  First pitch is scheduled for 7:07.

Record Vs. Blue Jays: 1-1

Record Vs. A.L. East: 5-3

Interleague Play Record: 7-7

Record On The Road: 21-19

Overall Record: 40-39

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!