Pittsburgh Pirates series takeaways vs Cincinnati Reds

Jul 31, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle walks through the dugout at the beginning of game with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Game One: A.J. Burnett (8-4, 2.68 ERA) vs. David Holmberg (2015 debut)

Result: Pirates lose 15-5

Winning Pitcher: Dave Holmberg (1-0, 3.00 ERA)

Losing Pitcher: A.J. Burnett (8-5, 3.06 ERA)

• What went right:
  • Andrew McCutchen had a pretty solid game, going 3-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.
  • Gregory Polanco went 2-4 with a walk and a run scored.
  • Starling Marte went 2-4 with a run scored.
  • Pedro Alvarez continued his home run streak, going 1-3 with a home run, an RBI, and a run scored.

• What went wrong:
  • A.J. Burnett had another very poor start and ended up going on the DL after the game. He went 4.1 innings, allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits, and struck out four.
  • Deolis Guerra had to take his lumps because of the score. He did not pitch well at all. He went 1.1 innings, allowed six runs on seven hits, and struck out two.
  • Brandon Phillips had a monster game, going 4-5 with two home runs, two runs scored, and seven RBIs.
  • Marlon Byrd had a big game of his own, going 3-6 with a home run, a run scored, and an RBI.

When a position player takes the mound, it usually isn’t a good thing. The Pirates got whooped pretty good, but the beauty of baseball is that there is always another game. The Pirates looked to rebound with Jeff Locke on the mound.

Next: Game Two: Jeff Locke vs. Michael Lorenzen

Jul 31, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Travis Ishikawa (30) is tagged out at home by Cincinnati Reds catcher Brayan Pena (29) in the sixth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Pirates won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Game Two: Jeff Locke (5-6, 4.15 ERA) vs. Michael Lorenzen (3-5, 4.58 ERA)

Result: Pirates win 5-4

Winning Pitcher: Jeff Locke (6-6, 4.21 ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Michael Lorenzen (3-6, 4.80 ERA)

Save: Mark Melancon (33, 1.29 ERA)

• What went right:
  • Jung Ho Kang is so hot right now. He had another multi-hit game, going 3-4 with three doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored.
  • Jeff Locke had a solid, but unspectacular start, going five innings, allowing three runs on five hits, and striking out five.
  • Andrew McCutchen had a solid game, going 1-4 with a home run and a run scored.
  • Starling Marte saved the game with his defense in the ninth inning, throwing out Brandon Phillips at the plate and then making the game-winning catch to rob Marlon Byrd of a hit.

• What went wrong:
  • Outside of Kang, McCutchen, Marte, and Polanco, the offense was kept completely quiet.
  • Aramis Ramirez had another hitless game, going 0-4.
  • Ivan De Jesus had a solid game, going 1-4 with a home run and two RBIs.
  • Travis Ishikawa was thrown out at home to end the sixth inning.

The Pirates rebounded nicely against the Reds and looked to take a series lead with their ace on the mound.

Next: Game Three: Gerrit Cole vs. Raisel Iglesias

Aug 1, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) is congratulated by catcher Brayan Pena (29) after the Reds defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Game Three: Gerrit Cole (14-4, 2.24 ERA) vs. Raisel Iglesias (1-3, 5.53 ERA)

Result: Pirates lose 4-3

Winning Pitcher: Raisel Iglesias (2-3, 5.13 ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Gerrit Cole (14-5, 2.29 ERA)

Save: Aroldis Chapman (22, 1.81 ERA)

• What went right:
  • Gregory Polanco had another good game from the lead-off spot, going 2-4 with a walk.
  • Jung Ho Kang just keeps hitting. He went 1-4 with a home run, a run scored, and an RBI.
  • Neil Walker had a pretty solid ballgame, going 2-4 with two runs scored.
  • Francisco Cervelli had a pinch-hit RBI in the ninth inning.

• What went wrong:
  • Gerrit Cole continues to have trouble with the Reds. He didn’t have a particularly bad start, but the standards of an ace are different. He lasted only five innings, allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits, and struck out eight.
  • The Pirates struggled with a rookie pitcher again, as Iglesias went 6.2 innings, allowed two runs on four hits, and struck out five.
  • Eugenio Suarez had a pretty big game, going 1-2 with three RBIs.
  • Billy Hamilton did his usual thing against the Pirates, going 1-3 with two stolen bases.

Gerrit Cole continued to struggle against the Reds and the Pirates found themselves on the brink of a series loss. They turned to Ground Chuck to leave Cincinnati with a series split.

Next: Game Four: Charlie Morton vs. Keyvius Sampson

Aug 2, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli (29) is restrained by second base umpire Kerwin Danley (44) after Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Mark Melancon was ejected from the game against the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Pirates won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Game Four: Charlie Morton (6-4, 4.61 ERA) vs. Keyvius Sampson (MLB debut)

Result: Pirates win 3-0

Winning Pitcher: Charlie Morton (7-4, 4.19 ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Keyvius Sampson (0-1, 4.50 ERA)

Save: Joakim Soria (24, 2.74 ERA)

• What went right:
  • Charlie Morton was electric, going seven innings, allowing no runs on five hits and striking out seven.
  • Starling Marte got the Pirates on the scoreboard first, going 1-4 with two RBIs.
  • Neil Walker had a triple that became a home run after a review. He went 1-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
  • Joakim Soria earned his first save as a Pirates after Mark Melancon was ejected for hitting Tucker Barnhart.

• What went wrong:
  • Tempers flared badly in this game as the two teams played bean ball and ended up in a benches-clearing brawl.
  • Mark Melancon was ejected in the ninth inning.
  • Andrew McCutchen did not have a very strong game, going 0-3 with two stikeouts and a hit by pitch.
  • Home plate umpire,D.J. Reyburn had a very inconsistent strike zone over the course of the game.

Next: Final Thoughts

Aug 2, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Mark Melancon (35) throws against Cincinnati Reds in the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Pirates won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

I am sure some fans will be disappointed the Pittsburgh Pirates “only” split the four-game series with the Reds, but the Reds have played some good baseball since the All-Star Break and splitting a series on the road is always something you want at a minimum. Plus, with the split, the Pirates capped off a successful 4-2 road trip. This series against the Reds was a heated one as it usually is when these two teams play. The Reds may not be a very strong team this season, but you can throw the records out the window then these teams get together as you can almost guarantee someone is going to get hit by a pitch and the other team will retaliate soon after.

The Pirates will have to move from one division rival to another as they return home to play a three-game series against the young, upstart Chicago Cubs. The Pirates have been relatively up and down since the All Star Break, but they have been more up recently, winning four of their last six games on the road. The Pirates will have to survive without their spiritual leader A.J. Burnett for awhile as he is on the DL with an elbow injury. The Pirates can’t feel too down on themselves as Clint Hurdle preaches, next man up. The Pirates have to focus on their upcoming opponents, as they have a very difficult schedule ahead. Every team deals with injuries and while it’s easy to feel pessimistic, this Pirates club knows how to win and they’ve dealt with plenty of injuries each of the past two seasons. This team has the talent and now they have to prove that they have the depth to withstand an injury to a vital starting pitcher.

Series Result: Split 2-2

2015 win/loss record: 61-43

2015 series record: 17-12-4

Next: Will Jordy Mercer ever be the starting shortstop in Pittsburgh again?