The Marathon Ends: Pirates Take Finale By 11-8 Count

Quite the Bucco jump out of the gates against Gio Gonzalez. A leadoff single, followed two outs later by a couple of walks, a HBP (on the foot) for a RBI, a bases-clearing double by Mad Max and a Jacob Stallings knock made it 5-0 for Steven Brault before he pushed off the slab. Then again, maybe it’s one of those days as the Nats started with a two-bagger and walk, a double steal and an Anthony Rendon homer. Then Brault struck out the side. In the second, the Bucs got a couple of runners on but a J-Bell GIDP ended the frame; the Nats for their part left the bases loaded. The Pirates went quietly in the third, but not so Washington, which had the first four runners reach to cut the lead to one. Then Angel Sanchez was waved in and shut the door in a nice bit of work. The fourth went by without a run.

In the fifth, a Cutch double (S-Rod ran for him; apparently Andrew’s sore foot ached) followed by J-Bell & Freeser knocks plated a run before another DP, this one served by Joe Blanton v J-Lup, ended the frame. Johnny Barbato took the ball and walked a pair after an out, bringing in Jack Leathersich. A single packed the sacks but a whiff and a bouncer into the shift by Bryce Harper prevented any damage. Tanner Roark took over in the sixth and the bats continued to boom – a walk came around on Stallings double and Jake rumbled home after another single and groundout. Edgar Santana climbed the hill and stranded an infield knock and walk. Austin Adams got the wave for the Nats in the seventh and zinged the Bucs. Dovydas Neverauskas answered the phone and tossed BP again, giving up a homer, single and double as Washington pared the score to 8-6.

In the eighth, Ollie Perez gave up four singles good for two runs, bopped a guy to load ‘em and then walked in another tally. Matt Alber came on and gave up a Baltimore chop rap to J-Stalls (no one covered first, oops) before shutting the gate. Daniel Hudson came in for Pittsburgh and loaded the bases with an out, but got a timely DP to keep it 11-6. The Bucs went down 1-2-3 in the ninth and Dan Runzler tried to close it out, but Joey O dropped a fly ball and then J-Bell mishandled a roller and suddenly it was 11-8. George Kontos did put it away, getting a four-pitch whiff for his first save of the year.

The game took four hours and 22 minutes, the longest nine-inning outing in history for both clubs. The Pirates used 23 players, including nine pitchers. The Bucs stranded 10 runners, the Nats 15; each club issued seven free passes. Pretty it wasn’t, but it beats the alternative. Nothin’ like a “Raise It” to close the campaign.

Notes:

• Jake Stallings had three hits & a walk while Max Moroff had a knock and two walks; together they drove in seven runs and scored three. Chris Bostick & J-Bell had two hits and a walk, and Starling had two more raps to end the year on a 12-game hitting streak.
• Steven Brault had a pretty miserable closing day: two IP, four runs, six hits, four walks and four Ks after 68 pitches.
• On his last Sunday show of the season, GM Neal Huntington wouldn’t commit to Cutch’s return, but did say he’d be in center if he’s back. He added he hopes to have the same crew of big league coaches in the fold for 2018.

• During the post-game, John Jaso told the beat folk that he was leaning toward retirement; he’s looking forward to traveling on his sailboat. JJ is planning on a trip to Puerto Rico to help with reconstruction as he has some building skills in his life toolkit.
• The Bucs will pick 10th in the 2018 draft, finishing the year at 75-87.
• Joe Block’s wife Bethany delivered a child last night; that’s why the AT&T announcers are Walkie and The Rock.