Pirates Drop Fifth In A Row 4-1

Dario got off to a good start with a clean first. B-Rey walked for all the Bucco action. A dribbler infield single and walk turned into a pair of Mariner runs after Dylan Moore’s two-out double in the second. Fraze walked, then Eli hit into a DP, taking the wind out of Erik Gonzalez’s rap. The M’s went quietly and Tommy Milone took over, as planned. K-Man singled, but the inning ended on Redbeard’s DP. Kyle Lewis and Tom Murphy hit back-to-back one-out bombs in the fourth because, why not? Dee Gordon singled, but was doubled up basically on a strike ‘em out, throw ‘em DP when Moore not only K’ed but interfered with an Eli throw. The Pirates were 1-2-3′ed. Seattle wasted a double in the fifth; the Bucs continued to be inoffensive. Chris Stratton was called on in the sixth and spun a clean frame; Pittsburgh got a two-out double from Redbeard, who was stranded.

Geoff Hartlieb and Milone traded quiet frames in the seventh. Yacksel Rios worked the eighth, and a walk, a whiff and a DP carried him through it. Anthony Bass took over for the M’s. Tuck tripled with one away, and with the infield back, Newman’s bouncer scored him, even though it was hit to third. Yefrey Ramirez was waved in for the ninth. He loaded the bases with an out via a single and two walks. A whiff froze them, then lefty Williams Jerez came in to face LH pinch hitter Daniel Vogelbach, who lined out on a 3-2 backdoor slider. Matt Magill got the call, and gave up a Texas league knock to Moran and a rap to Joey O. Fraze took one to the fence, but it fell just short and was gloved for the first out. Eli roped one to center next, but it too was corralled. And why not a liner to left by Kramer to put it to rest?

Well, the bullpen didn’t implode for a welcome change, but the offense without J-Bell and Starling is gonna have to grind it a little harder; one inning of good contact won’t win too many games, especially with your impact guys out for at least the rest of the week.

Notes

• Colin Moran had two of the Bucs six hits; no one else reached safely more than once.
• Vera and Lorna Clemente presented the 2019 Pirates Clemente Award winner, Trevor Williams, with his trophy and a framed Roberto jersey before the game.
• The paid attendance was 9,875, many disguised tonight as empty seats.
• MLB.com’s Jim Callis has released his final Top 100 Prospects List for the season. RHP Mitch Keller (#24), 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (#37) and SS Oneil Cruz (#58) made the cut.