Marlins Score Nine In 3rd, Rout Pirates 13-4 In Series Opener

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Ouch. 

With just 19 games left in the 2011 season, the Pirates are looking to build some momentum to carry over to next year.  Games like tonight’s series opener against the Florida Marlins is the complete opposite of what they, or their fans, needed. 

The Marlins tagged Ross Ohlendorf & Co. for nine runs on ten hits in the third inning alone, setting a franchise record, on their way to a rout of the Bucs by a 13-4 score.

Ohlendorf fell to 0-2 on his severely abbreviated season, with his ERA inflating rapidly to a disgusting 8.03.  He gave up six runs (all earned) on ten hits through just two innings.  After Clint Hurdle pulled him without recording an out in the third, the beating got even worse.  Daniel McCutchen was only able to retire two batters, while he gave up four more runs on four hits, before being replaced by Aaron Thompson.

Thompson was able to get the Bucs out of the third inning, but he didn’t fair well either over the next couple innings, surrendering three more runs to the Marlins’ bats on six hits though his two innings of work.  All in all, this was a horrible game for Pittsburgh and their fans, one that everyone will be glad to have behind them quickly.

Omar Infante was the star for the Marlins tonight, going 3-6, including two homeruns, while tallying five RBI’s.  As a team, Florida collected 22 hits, while eight different players had multi-hit performances.

As for the Bucs’ offense, it was a bit of a different look tonight, with Pedro Ciricao getting the start at shortstop and Josh Harrison once again starting at third base instead of Pedro Alvarez.  Ciriaco played well tonight, going 2-4 with two RBI’s.  Alex Presley and Derrek Lee added the other two RBI’s for the Pirates.  Alvarez went 1-2 with a run scored tonight, while Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker added a hit a piece.

Obviously, this was a horrific game to watch as a Pirates’ fan.  There’s so much more to the frustration than just what’s on the surface.  Yes, they gave up 13 runs and 22 hits to the last place team in the N.L. East.  But there’s much more to this.  Ross Ohlendorf is one of the projected competitors for the starting rotation next year.  This doesn’t exactly make a strong statement. 

Aaron Thompson is another candidate to maybe have a shot, at least in Spring Training, to show the team what he can do on the mound.  He was completely ineffective tonight as well. 

On a bright note, Jared Hughes had a nice appearance tonight, pitching 1.1 innings of scoreless ball in the losing effort.

Jeff Locke will make the start tomorrow night in the second game of this 3-game set.  With this being the next-to-last home stand of the 2011 season, Pirates’ fans are dying to take positives away from each and every game, but that’s rather difficult on nights like tonight.  Locke represents a potential piece to the 2012 puzzle, and our first look at him will be tomorrow night.

Record Vs. Marlins: 0-4

Record Vs. N.L. East: 12-20

Record At Home: 33-40

Overall Record: 66-78

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!