Tyler Glasnow Returns to the Rotation in Pittsburgh Pirates Loss

The Pittsburgh Pirates finished their six-game road trip on Wednesday night

After being optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis in June, Tyler Glasnow made a plethora of changes to the way he pitches. These changes led to Glasnow pitching the four most dominant months of his professional career at Triple-A this summer and into the fall. Both Glasnow and the Pittsburgh Pirates hoped these changes would translate to the Major Leagues. Unfortunately, the first trial run went miserably and ended in an 8-2 Pirate loss.

With the loss on Wednesday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates finished their six-game road trip with just a 1-5 record. This loss knocks the Pirates to 68-79 overall on the season and 9-6 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

History was made in the top of the first inning as the Pirates scored first. Andrew McCutchen hit his 25th home run of the season, and 200th of his career, to make the score 1-0 Pirates. McCutchen now joins Willie Stargell, Ralph Kiner, and Roberto Clemente as the only players to ever hit 200 home runs as a Pittsburgh Pirate.

In the bottom of the first inning Tyler Glasnow came out sporting a fastball that sat in the 98/99 miles per hour range. However, he struggled with his control.

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After walking Eric Sogard and striking out Eric Thames to start the game, he faced a 3-2 count on Neil Walker. Glasnow’s 3-2 pitch to Walker was down the heart of the strike zone and nowhere near ball four. However, home plate umpire Bill Welke ruled it ball four. This led to Clint Hurdle getting ejected and helped to Brewers tie the game.

After Sogard was thrown out trying to steal third base and Travis Shaw walked, Hernan Perez hit a bloop single to left field that scored Walker to tie the game at one after the first inning of play. While Tyler Glasnow got no help from the home plate umpire in the first inning, he also hurt himself. Despite getting ahead in the count against five of the six batters he faced he still went to three balls on four of them. This included all three of the at bats that ended in walks.

In the top of the third inning the Pirates threatening to retake the lead. With one out Tyler Glasnow was hit by a pitch and then replaced on the bases by Starling Marte on a fielder’s choice. After Marte stole second base and Adam Frazier drew a walk, Andrew McCutchen came to the plate with two on and two outs. However, Brewers’ starting Chase Anderson got McCutchen to ground out to end the inning.

After pitching a 1-2-3 bottom of the second inning, the wheels would completely fall off the cart for Glasnow in the bottom of the third inning.

MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 13: Eric Thames /

To start the inning, Glasnow walked Eric Sogard and then allowed a two-run home run to Eric Thames making the score 3-1 Brewers. Then with two outs, Glasnow walked Hernan Perez and gave up a single to Manny Pina. After a pair of stolen bases Brett Phillips hit a two-run single to make it 5-1 Brewers.

Acting Pirate manager Tom Prince then ordered an intentional walk of Orlando Arcia before pulling Glasnow for Wade LeBlanc. LeBlanc would come in and strikeout Chase Anderson to end the inning.

Wednesday night was an absolute disaster for Tyler Glasnow. He allowed five runs on four hits, a home run, six walks, and he struck out three in 2 2/3 innings pitched. With each start he makes Glasnow’s chances of sticking in the Major Leagues as a starting pitcher look less likely.

In the top of the fourth inning the Pirates looked primed to get back into the game. With one out David Freese singled, Jordan Luplow doubled, and the Bucs had runners on second and third with just one out. This is where things went wrong.

Catcher Elias Diaz then stepped to the plate with the infield back and the Brewers conceding a run. Diaz would hit a fly ball to shallow center field that Freese attempted to tag and score on. After a strong throw from Milwaukee center fielder Brett Phillips and a strong tag from Manny Pina David Freese was out at the plate and the inning was over.

Angel Sanchez pitched the bottom of the fifth inning for the Pirates and it went disastrously. Sanchez allowed three runs on four hits and a wild pitch in the inning. This made the score 8-1 Brewers.

In the top of the sixth inning Andrew McCutchen reached on an Orlando Arcia error, David Freese singled, and Jordan Luplow singled. This loaded the bases with just one out for Elias Diaz who reached on an infield hit. Diaz’s hit cut the Brewer lead to 8-2, kept the bases loaded with one out, and ended Chase Anderson’s night.

Oliver Drake replaced Anderson to face pinch-hitter Gregory Polanco with the bases loaded and just one out. Drake got Polanco to fly out to shallow right field and then he got Max Moroff to fly out to center field to end the inning.

In 5 1/3 innings pitched on Wednesday night Chase Anderson allowed two runs on six hits, a walk, and two strikeouts. This start came on just three days rest due to Jimmy Nelson’s shoulder injury.

Dan Runzler, Dovydas Neverasuskas, and George Kontos all pitched a scoeless inning for Pirates.

Next: The Struggle - and Hope - of Andrew McCutchen

After a day off on Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates start a three-game weekend series at PNC Park against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Chad Kuhl will start for the Pirates on Friday night while the Reds go with Homer Bailey. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM.

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