Pirates Lose In Familar Fashion, Rough Road Ahead

It ended the way so many have had this season for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Four straight hits.  Nobody out and the bases loaded in the ninth against the St. Louis Cardinals. But the Bucs found a way to strand runners like they have so often this season.   After a four pitch walk to Clint Barmes, the hot hitting Ike Davis popped out on the first pitch.  That was followed up by Jordy Mercer, who was having a coming out party, hit into a double play to end the game.

So it was business as usual for the Bucs, plenty of base runners, just awful at bats when simple execution is needed.

The Pirates head out on the road to play the banged up, first place Milwaukee Brewers and the New York Yankees who are currently in second place in the AL East.

The Pirates will battle the Brewers with Wandy Rodriguez who served up gopher ball after gopher ball to Double-A hitters.

The Pirates head out on the road with Andrew McCutchen playing on a tender left foot.

The Pirates head out on the road knowing they should have swept the defending National League Champions despite not playing their best baseball.

The Pirates head out on the road knowing their defense must improve.

The Pirates head out on the road with question marks surrounding Starling Marte’s health.

The Pirates head out on the road with Jaff Decker on their roster.

The Pirates head out on the road with Neil Walker as hot as he has ever been.

The Pirates head out on the road with a leaky bullpen.

The Pirates head to Miller Park seeking to avenge some early season losses.

The Pirates had a solid homestand.

The Pirates have won three straight series.  The team has won six of nine games.

But look, the Pirates can come back to PNC Park with even more swagger and within sniffing distance of the NL Central lead if somehow they can overcome these seemingly insurmountable weaknesses.

The End.  God that game sucked.