Brewers' Power Too Much For Bucs In Season-Finale

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Darren Hauck/Getty Images

The Pirates entered tonight’s game at Miller Park trying to avoid another 90-loss season.  After playing highly competitive baseball through the first four months of the season, the last two have been very frustrating for the Bucs and their fans.

Pittsburgh lost to Milwaukee tonight in predictable fashion.  The Brewers’ power was too much for the Pirates, and they made the most of their offensive opportunities as they beat up on the Bucs in the final regular season game by a final score of 7-3.

It was a frustrating night for the Pirates, which has become familiar for fans in recent weeks, and against the Brewers in particular.  The Bucs managed just six hits tonight, while the pitching staff gave up three homeruns to Brewers’ hitters.

Andrew McCutchen was 0-3 tonight, dropping his batting average to .259 for the season.  Derrek Lee had a double in the fourth inning, increasing his average to .340 as a Pirate this year, while Neil Walker went 2-4 with two doubles.  And in what could be (and most likely will be) his final at-bat as a Pirate, Ryan Doumit flew out to left field in the eighth inning.

Pedro Alvarez struck out looking in the ninth to record the Pirates' final out of the season.

Obviously, it was a disappointing way to end the 2011 season with a thumping by a team that has done that to the Pirates year after year.  In a way, it is indicative of where the Bucs stand right now.  They are not at the same level as the N.L. Central-winning Brewers.  The Bucs competed with Milwaukee and St. Louis through July, but they couldn’t hold on as their schedule became especially brutal as the summer drew to a close.

The Pirates end 2011 with a 72-90 record, invoking mixed emotions from fans.  There are those who remember when the Bucs were 51-44 in mid-July, only to fall apart, going just 21-46 the rest of the season.  The positive spin sees the Pirates with a 15-game improvement from last year.  But 2011 will only be seen as a step in the right direction if 2012 brings a bigger improvement in the record and the standings.

Stay tuned to Fans From The Stands over the next several days, and the entire offseason, as we recap the season, discuss the highs and lows, and look ahead to next year. 

Record Vs. Brewers: 3-12

Record Vs. N.L. Central: 39-41

Record On The Road: 36-45

Overall Record: 72-90

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!