Pittsburgh Pirates Woes Continue As They’re Swept In Milwaukee

(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
2 of 4
Pittsburgh Pirates
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 21: James Marvel #74 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on after giving up a two run home run in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 21, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

The pitching stunk

Believe it or not, the Pirate pitching staff stunk in a series in which they allowed 24 runs across three games. Shocking stuff!

Steven Brault started on Friday and allowed 6 runs, 4 earned, in 5 1/3 innings of work. Brault has now allowed 19 earned runs on 20 hits, eight walks, six home runs, and 10 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings of work in last three starts. The good Brault that the Pirates saw from late May through the start of September is long gone.

The third career start for Pirate Minor League Pitcher of the Year James Marvel came on Saturday night. After a strong start to the game, the wheels fell off the cart for Marvel in the 4th inning. He wound up allowing 6 runs in just 3 1/3 innings pitched.

Trevor Williams was ok on Sunday allowing just 2 runs on a pair of solo home runs. However, he pitched just 5 innings. You always want to get more than 5 innings out of your starting pitcher.

It was a long weekend for the bullpen as well.

Geoff Hartlieb allowed 4 runs in 1 1/3 innings of work Friday night leading to a 10-1 Brewer victory. The Brewers again won 10-1 on Saturday night after Chris Stratton allowed a run and Alex McRae gave up 4 runs in 2 innings of work. On Sunday, Michael Feliz allowed a 2-run home run in his lone inning of work.

The number one priority for the Pirates this off-season needs to be adding pitching. The team needs starting pitching, they need bullpen help, they need pitching depth, they just flat out need pitching help. Lots of pitching help.

Schedule