Out Like a Lamb. Scenes from the Pittsburgh Pirates 83rd Loss of the 2012 Season

The PNC Park fans thank A.J. Burnett for his effort during the 2012 season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates never made it to second base.  Second base.  Second freaking base.  The Pirates went quietly into the autumn afternoon fallng to the Atlanta Braves in the final game of the 2012 season by a 4-0 score.

The game left plenty to be desired.  It was apparent that the Pirates had places they would rather be.  For the first time this season at a game that we attended, I felt ripped.

Maybe it was because the first picture we took of the day was so, shitty.

Alex Presley stands in the outfield behind A.J. Burnett. Mandatory credit: RumBunter

A bunch of Atlanta relievers combined with Ben Sheets to hold the Pirates to four hits.

While we were circling for a parking spot, the Braves followed the successful formula to beat the Bucs.  Michael Bourn walked, stole second base and then stole third base.

A sacrifice fly plated Bourn.

It happened again in the fourth inning, after Burnett tried his best to hold Jason Heyward close at first base after Heyward reached on a single.  Burnett nearly picked him off after catching the big man leaning toward second.   A pitch later Heyward was standing on second base and Dan Uggla ripped a single to the right center field gap giving the Braves a 2-0 lead.

Chipper Jones came out on deck in the fifth inning, but A.J. Burnett must have been pissed off about all the stolen bases on him and decided to pick a runner off first base.  Burnett made a nice play to end the inning on a hot smash up the box to leave Jones in the on-deck circle.

Chipper Jones made his appearance to a rousing ovation from the PNC Park crowd an inning later.  Jones didn’t disappoint.  On the first pitch from Burnett, Jones ripped a single to right field.

Chipper Jones waves to the PNC Park crowd after he ripped a single into right field in his final regular season at-bat off A.J. Burnett.

Heyward singled off the clunky glove of second baseman Josh Harrison and then Freddie Freeman groundout to Burnett.

After Burnett speared the ball out of the air,  Pedro Alvarez failed to cover the bag at third base.  Burnett couldn’t get a grip on the ball, so he quickly looked at second base, but tossed to first for the out.  The play moved Jones and Heyward into scoring position.  Dan Uggla walked and then light hitting J.C. Boscan plated Jones with a single.

Heyward would score on a Juan Francisco ground out that should have been a double play ball, but Jones coudn’t get a handle on the ball.  GFJ would toss to Burnett for the out.  It was the last out Burnett would get in the 2012 season.  Clint Hurdle came to the mound and the crowd cheered for Burnett as he politely tipped his cap.

A.J. Burnett exits after pitching 5.2 innings in his final start of 2012.

Burnett pitched 5.2 innings.  It was obvious Burnett didn’t have his best stuff as he allowed eight hits and gave up four earned runs.  Chad Qualls relieved the Bucs ace and got a quick groundout to end the inning.

Chris Leroux struck out the side in the eighth inning, but we didn’t see big velocity from the right hander.  He didn’t need it and made it look easy.  Damn, we trust he gets a shot next year.

Andrew McCutchen got the biggest ovation of the day, when Hurdle pulled him from the game in the eighth inning.

Pittsburgh Pirates MVP Andrew McCutchen says goodbye to the PNC Park faithful.

And then at 3:22 pm the season came to an end.  I gotta admit it stung a little bit.

Jose Tabata made the final out of the 2012 season for the Pittsburgh Pirates Photo: RumBunter

it’s 3:22 and the 2012 season is over Pittsburgh Pirates fans

The Pirates finish at 79-83.

Thanks for everyone who has stopped in at RumBunter this year.  The site has taken off with the help of so many people, but especially Cocktailsfor2, MVP Adam, Jeff and McEffect.   Each of these gentlemen have worked hard to provide you with their insight on one hell of a ride this season.   We can’t thank them enough.