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Series Review: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Arizona Diamondbacks

By Steve Kubitz |
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Aug 17, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez (24) reacts at home plate after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pirates responded to a tough series loss to the Cardinals by sweeping the New York Mets in their ballpark. Any sweep is a satisfying, but a road one seems even better. The Pirates then came home to turn their attention to the National League West as they took on the improving Arizona Diamondbacks in a three game series.

Once again the Pirates find themselves staring down an under .500 opponent right before a big series against a playoff contender as following the D-backs series, the San Francisco Giants come to town. The Pirates couldn’t afford to overlook Arizona as every game in a pennant race is a big one regardless of opponent. Were the Pirates able to focus all their attention on a non-contender?

Next: Game One: Cole vs. Hellickson

Aug 17, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (L) gives the ball to Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle (C) against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Game One: Gerrit Cole (14-6, 2.48ERA) vs. Jeremy Hellickson (8-8, 4.73ERA)

Result: Pirates lose 4-1

Winning Pitcher: Jeremy Hellickson (9-8, 4.60ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Gerrit Cole (14-7, 2.61ERA)

Save: Brad Ziegler (21, 1.58ERA)

  • What went wrong:
    • Gerrit Cole did not have his best stuff again. He had a very rough first inning, but was able to settle down. He went 6.2 innings, allowed four runs on nine hits and struck out five.
    • Top of the order did have a very strong game as Gregory Polanco, Starling Marte and Andrew McCutchen combined to go 1-12 with a walk.
    • David Peralta had a good game for the Diamondbacks as he went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
    • Jeremy Hellickson kept the Pirates off-balance with his curveball all night. He went 5.1 inning, allowed one run on three hits and struck out four.

The Pirates came out very flat in game one of the series as they could never seem to cash in their opportunities. The Diamondbacks kept trying to let the Pirates back into the game, but the Pirates were never able to get the big hit.

The Bucs looked to respond and get back in the series with Francisco Liriano on the mound for game two.

Next: Game Two: Liriano vs. Anderson

Aug 17, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Joe Blanton (55) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Game Two: Francisco Liriano (8-6, 3.19ERA) vs. Chase Anderson (5-5, 4.31ERA)

Result: Pirates win 9-8 (15 innings)

Winning Pitcher: Joe Blanton (5-2, 3.11ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Keith Hessler (0-1, 10.80ERA)

What went right:

Francisco Cervelli had an awesome and gutsy performance. He caught all 15 innings, went 4-7 with an RBI and scored the winning run.

Francisco Liriano pitched better than his final line indicated. He went seven innings, allowed five runs on six hits, walked three and struck out five.

  • Arquimedes Caminero and Joe Blanton were both outstanding in extra innings. They combined to go six innings, allowed zero runs on three hits and struck out three.
    • Pedro Florimon

    did this:

    • What went wrong:
      • Mark Melancon blew his first save since April, but it wasn’t really his fault as his defense failed him big time. Sean Rodriguez and Jung-ho Kang both committed ninth inning errors that allowed the Diamondbacks to tie the game.
      • Aaron Hill had a very big game for the Diamondbacks as he went 3-7 with three runs scored.
      • Paul Goldschmidt was a tough out all night. He went 1-4 with three walks and two RBI.
      • A.J. Pollock was solid at the lead-off spot. He went 2-7 with two runs scored.

    The Pirates played a pretty sloppy game overall, but were able to successfully overcome it and get the victory to even the series. Mark Melancon’s save streak came to an end because of very poor defense. The Pirates looked to play a better game and get the win to take the series.

    They turned to J.A. Happ to pitch well and claim another series victory.

    Next: Game Three: Happ vs. Ray

    Aug 17, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Joakim Soria (38) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Arizona won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

    Game Three: J.A. Happ (4-7, 4.64ERA) vs. Robbie Ray (3-8, 3.29ERA)

    Result: Pirates win 4-1

    Winning Pitcher: J.A. Happ (5-7, 4.42ERA)

    Losing Pitcher: Robbie Ray (3-9, 3.38ERA)

    Save: Mark Melancon (38, 1.58ERA)

    • What went right:
      • J.A. Happ looked like a completely different pitcher than the one that took the mound in his first game as a Pirate. He went six innings, allowed zero runs on two hits and struck out three.
      • Sean Rodriguez rebounded from a poor defensive game and made up for his with his bat. He went 3-4 with an RBI.
      • Top of the order was outstanding as Gregory Polanco, Starling Marte and Andrew McCutchen combined to go 5-11 with an RBI and a run scored
      • Joakim Soria and Tony Watson were both dominating out of the bullpen. They both pitched hitless, scoreless innings.
    • What went wrong:
      • Aramis Ramirez went 0-4 and left three men on base.
      • Andrew McCutchen had a bad night on the bases as he was caught stealing and picked off.
      • Antonio Bastardo had his first poor outing in awhile as he he couldn’t record an out and allowed one run on one hit and a walk.
      • Francisco Cervelli and Travis Ishikawa both grounded into double plays.

    Next: Final Thoughts

    Aug 17, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) reacts after hitting a double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

    The Pirates followed a sweep of the Mets by winning the series against the Diamondbacks . I am sure there may be someone out there disappointed they didn’t sweep, but Diamondbacks are a very talented offensive ball club and can put up crooked numbers very quickly as we saw in game one. It would have been very easy to overlook the Diamondbacks with the San Francisco Giants coming to town this weekend, but the Pirates preach the biggest game is today’s game and they proved that by responding to a game one loss to win two in a row to take the series.

    However, the Pirates can now turn their attention to the defending champion, San Francisco Giants as they make their first appearance at PNC Park since Madison Bumgarner dominated the Pirates in the 2014 NL Wildcard Game. The Giants are currently on the outside looking in at a playoff spot and the Pirates can bury their Wildcard hopes with a series win, but you don’t win three World Series titles in five years without handling adversity, so you can expect the very best from the defending World Champs.

    Series Result: Pirates win 2-1

    2015 win/loss record: 71-47

    2015 series record: 20-13-5

    Next: Pittsburgh Pirates Wake-Up Call - and they just keep on winning

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