Pittsburgh Pirates Lose Fourth Consecutive Game

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 3: Ivan Nova
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 3: Ivan Nova /
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The Pittsburgh Pirates are now 37-46 this season

The low point for the 2017 Pittsburgh Pirates keeps sinking. Over the weekend, the Pirates were swept by the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park. The only team in baseball with fewer wins than the Giants is the Philadelphia Phillies, who the Pirates started a 4 game series with on Monday night.

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in game 1 of their 4 game series on Monday night.

In the bottom of the 1st inning, Daniel Nava singled to start things for the Phillies. Freddy Galvis then hit his 8th home run of the season to make it 2-0 Phils. The Phillies lead grew to 4-0 on a 2 run home run by Maikel Franco in the bottom of the 3rd inning.

Entering Monday night Ivan Nova had struggled in his previous 6 starts. He had a 4.77 FIP and was averaging 1.49 HR/9 in 38 innings pitched in these 6 starts. His recent struggles would continue on Monday night.

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Ivan Nova allowed 4 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings of work on Monday night. He walked 2 batters, allowed 2 home runs, and struck out a batter. Nova continues to fail to miss bats, and his FIP this season has now swollen to 4.03.

As for the Pittsburgh Pirates offense, Aaron Nola stifled it all night long.

Aaron Nola walked Adam Frazier to start the game. The Pirates would not have another base runner until Andrew McCutchen doubled in the 5th inning. Despite allowing a double to Jordy Mercer in the 6th, and singles to David Freese and Gregory Polanco in the 7th Nola went unscored against on Monday night.

In 7 innings of work on Monday night Aaron Nola held the Pirates scoreless on 4 hits, 1 walk, and 8 strikeouts.

Wade LeBlanc replaced Nova in the bottom of the 7th inning. He fired a 1-2-3 inning while recording a strikeout. LeBlanc also pitched the bottom of the 8th inning. Much like the 7th inning, he retired the Phillies in order while recording a strikeout.

As for Philadelphia’s bullpen, it slammed the door on the Pirates after Aaron Nola exited the game. Joaquin Benoit and Hector Neris pitched the 8th and 9th innings for the Phillies. Both would fire a 1-2-3 inning.

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There is no way around it, the Pittsburgh Pirates are bad. It has been emphasized by them losing 4 straight games, with all 4 losses coming against the 2 worst teams in baseball. Unfortunately, it looks like this will be a long July, August, and September for Pirate fans.

Game 2 of the 4 game series will be played Tuesday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. Jameson Taillon is scheduled to start for the Pirates, while the Phillies plan to go with Mark Leiter Jr. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 PM, and the game will be on ESPN.