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3 Takeaways From The Pittsburgh Pirates Being Swept By The Diamondbacks

By Marty Leap

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 25: Nick Ahmed #13 of the Arizona Diamondbacks attempts to turn a double play in the third inning against Cole Tucker #3 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 25, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 25: Nick Ahmed #13 of the Arizona Diamondbacks attempts to turn a double play in the third inning against Cole Tucker #3 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 25, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 22: Colin Moran #19 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an RBI double in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park on April 22, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 22: Colin Moran #19 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an RBI double in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park on April 22, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

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.

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