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.