Pittsburgh Pirates: Josh Bell Bounces Back & Other Takeaways From Series Win vs Braves

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 05: Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an RBI double in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on June 5, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 05: Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an RBI double in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on June 5, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 05: Kevin Newman #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates after scoring on a RBI single in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on June 5, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 05: Kevin Newman #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates after scoring on a RBI single in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on June 5, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

This team continues to fight

On a few different occasions this season the Pirates have looked ready to crumble. Each time, they have risen to the occasion and answered the bell. This series victory over Atlanta was just the latest such example.

Following a demoralizing loss to the Rangers and a 17-4 loss to the Cardinals on consecutive days in mid-May, the Bucs reeled off a 7-3 stretch. In late April they lost eight games in a row to fall to two games below .500, and then followed this stretch by winning five of seven.

At a season high three games under .500 the wheels looked ready to come off after Tuesday night’s loss. Instead, the team rallied to win the final two games of the series against the defending NL East Champion Braves.

This is a team of fighters. They have a lot of heart and they are not easy to keep down on the mat. They have proven this time and time again this season, and this series against the Braves was just the latest example of this.

While I have often criticized Clint Hurdle‘s in game managerial decisions, there is no denying that he is a great leader. He always has been and always will be. This leadership by Hurdle and his staff is a big reason why the 2019 Pittsburgh Pirates is a team that has proven they will always go down swinging.