Pittsburgh Pirates Lose – Again – Get Swept by the Reds

The Pittsburgh Pirates have now lost 10 of their last 11 games

Sometimes in sports one team has another team’s number. That has been the case this season for the Cincinnati Reds when it comes to the Pittsburgh Pirates. After the Pirates lost to the Reds 5-0 on Sunday, the Bucs will finish the season 6-13 against the Reds.

With the loss, the Pirates are now 68-81 overall on the season and just two games ahead of the Reds for staying out of last place in the National League Central.

The struggling Robert Stephenson – who entered the game with a 5.45 ERA and a 5.21 FIP – started for the Reds on Sunday afternoon and in the top of the third inning the Pirates threatened to score first.

Chris Stewart walked to start the inning and Gerrit Cole doubled to put runners on second and third with no one out. However, Cincinnati starting pitcher Robert Stephenson would manage to work out of this mess.

First, Stephenson struck out John Jaso. Then, Jordan Luplow popped out to shallow center field. Finally, Andrew McCutchen fouled out to Tucker Barnhart behind the plate. This ended the inning and stranded Stewart and Cole on the bases.

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In six scoreless innings pitched on Sunday afternoon Stephenson allowed just the Cole double, he walked three, and he struck out eight.

Gerrit Cole started for the Pirates on Sunday and he was excellent through five innings. But then in the bottom of the sixth inning the wheels would come off the cart for Cole.

To start the inning walked Jesse Winker. This was followed by a two-run home run from Eugenio Suarez. This made the score 2-0 Reds.

Gerrit Cole then walked Joey Votto before allowing another two-run home run. This homer came off the bat of Scooter Gennett. It also brought Cole’s day to an end.

Cole pitched into the sixth inning allowing four runs on three hits, four walks, two home runs, and six strikeouts.

Daniel Hudson replaced Cole and struck out the first two batters he faced. However, with two outs he hit Zach Vincej with a pitch and allowed a RBI double to Tucker Barnhart. This made the score 5-0 Reds after six innings.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Jack Leathersich was the new pitcher for Clint Hurdle and the Pirates. Leathersich pitched a scoreless inning. He would issue a walk and record a pair of strikeouts in the process.

With one out in the top of the eighth inning the pinch hitting Chris Bostick drew a walk. Then, John Jaso hit a two-run home run. Jaso’s 10th home run of the season cut the Reds’ lead to 5-2.

Johnny Barbato took over on the mound for the Pirates in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Barbato retired the Reds in order, Michael Lorenzen would do the same to the Pirates in the top of the ninth inning. Ending the game in a 5-2 victory for the Reds.

Next: Should the Bucs Move Glasnow to the Bullpen?

Next up for the Pittsburgh Pirates is a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers to start their final homestand of the inning. Jameson Taillon will start for the Pirates while the Brewers go with Brent Suter. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 7:05 on Monday night.