The Pittsburgh Pirates wrapped up a nine game home stand with a visit from the division rival Cincinnati Reds. Upon the time that the Reds visited the Steel City the battling buccos had gone 4-2 in the previous two series against the Cubs and Cardinals. Fans were expecting good things in the series, since the Pirates had swept the Reds at PNC Park back in April. But as any true Pirate fan knows when it comes to the Pirates expect the unexpected.
Monday May 10: In game one of the series the Pirates faced former Bucco Bronson Arroyo. Arroyo made sure to remind everyone in Bucco nation that they had traded a formable pitcher. He would go seven innings against the Pirates allowing only one run. A solo home run from Ronny Cedeno would be the only production from the Pirates line up. Unfortunately this one run performance would allow a beautiful pitching performance from Ross Olendorf, who participated in his first game since coming off the DL, Javier Lopez, Evan Meek, and Joel Hanrahan go to waste. The pitching staff would only allow two runs. These runs would come in the top of the fourth and eighth inning on doubles from Lance Nix and Scott Rolen.
Tuesday May 11: Game two of the series turned into route as the Reds would go on to down the Pirates 9-0. Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto pitched a gem as he went the distance throwing a complete game one hitter. Ronny Cedeno was the only one to figure out Cueto with a single into left off the glove of shortstop Paul Janish’s glove in the third inning. While the Pirates bats were silenced, the Reds belted fifteen hits off of four Bucco pitchers. This game marked the 13th time in 33 games that the Pirates lost by six runs or more. Starting pitcher Charlie Morton did go six innings and only allowed three runs, which shows that the bullpen was unable to help him giving up six earned runs in only three innings.
Wednesday May 12: An afternoon game in baseball is known as a businessman’s special. It’s a time for people to leave work early and enjoy America’s past time. Unfortunately for Pirates fans it seemed the team forgot to show up. The Pirates came into the game with their ace Zach Duke on the mound and hopes to salvage something from this series and finish the home stand at .500. It didn’t take long for the Reds to ruin that hope. The scoring started in the top of the first when they scored two runs and then copy that feat again in the second. The Reds would finish their scoring the fourth with a solo home run from Drew Stubbs. The Reds would have another great pitching performance this time from Homer Bailey. Bailey would toss a complete game four hit shutout against the Pirates.
Plain and simple the Pirates didn’t even come to play in this series as they were outscored 16-1. This three game set highlighted the plights of the their season as inconsistent pitching and defense along with non-existent offense doomed them from game one and continued in games two and three. Hopefully a day off and a five game road trip to Chicago and Philadelphia, will allow the Pirates to clear their heads and play good quality baseball that they have shown glimpses of this season.
Current record: 14-20
As Always…..Lets Go Bucs!!!!!
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