3 Takeaways From The Pittsburgh Pirates Being Swept By The Diamondbacks

The 1st inning twice spelled doom

On Monday night, the Pirates appeared primed to jump out to a big lead early on in the opening game of the series. In the bottom of the 1st inning the Pirates had the bases loaded with just one out and Colin Moran stepping to the plate. Moran worked a 3-2 count, but then went down swinging on a pitch that would have been ball four. Bryan Reynolds then grounded out to end the inning.

Failing to put up a crooked number early on came back to bite the Pirates. The team failed to bury the Diamondbacks early, and it led to a blowout loss.

In Wednesday night’s game three, a poor 1st inning by the Pirates again set the tone for the game. This time, however, it came in the top half of the inning.

With one out, a runner on first, and the Diamondbacks ahead 1-0, starting pitcher Jordan Lyles made a throwing error. This throwing error gave Arizona runners on second and third with one out, instead of a runner on second with two outs. This led to a sacrifice fly, and a 2-0 Diamondback lead.

The Diamondbacks quickly struck in game four, too. The Snakes bit starter Jameson Taillon for a pair of runs in the top of the 1st inning, and, once again, the Bucs quickly found themselves in a hole.

There is no way of knowing how differently, if at all, games three and four would have gone if not for the error. But it sure would have been nice to know.

Hitting with runners in scoring position was a major issue

The Pittsburgh Pirates offense is not built around power or the long ball. Due to this, the team must manufacture runs and take advantage of the scoring opportunities they generate. Against Arizona, they did not do this.

On Monday night, the team went 4-for-13 with RISP. This prevented them from busting the game wide open and kept it close, allowing Arizona to rally past the Bucs and eventually blow them out. The Bucs went 1-for-10 with RISP in game two, this was the biggest factor in their 2-1 loss on Tuesday night. They were then 0-for-6 in game three and 0-for-3 in game four on Thursday afternoon.

Going 5-for-32 with RISP simply is not going to cut it. Especially against an offense as potent as Arizona’s. The Bucs drew just three walks with RISP, one of which was intentional, and collected just two extra base hits in these situations. All of them came in game one.

Hitting with RISP has been a problem throughout the season for the Pirates. It was a big reason the team got swept in their two-game series against the Cardinals earlier this month, and it was a major role in getting swept this week by Arizona as well. Hopefully, the bats will pick up with RISP this weekend in LA.

Steven Brault should not be on the 25-man roster

Right fielder Gregory Polanco was activated off the injured list on Monday. To make room for him on the roster, the Pirates optioned lefty reliever Steven Brault back to the Triple-A level. Well, Brault’s trip to the minors never even happened.

Before he even left for Indianapolis, Nick Burdi got hurt in Monday night’s loss. After Burdi was placed on the IL, Brault was added back to the 25-man roster.

On Wednesday night, Brault then made his first appearance in a game since April 8th. As one would expect, it did not go well for Brault. In his 2 innings of work Brault allowed a three-run home run to Ketel Marte. He now owns a 10.80 ERA and a 6.86 FIP in 6 2/3 innings pitched this season.

The Pirates have a better long relief option in Nick Kingham, Brault does not throw strikes consistently enough to be a lefty specialist, and right-handed hitters crush him. Right now, Brault serves no purpose on this roster. It is clear that Clint Hurdle does not trust Brault much as he went three weeks without using him.

Brault should not be on the 25-man roster. Clay Holmes, Dovydas Neverauskas, Geoff Hartlieb, and Michael Feliz are all options at Triple-A that would be better suited for the Pirate bullpen then Brault. It is time for the Brault Era in Pittsburgh to end.