Pittsburgh Pirates: Bullpen Falters, Offense Non-Existent in Loss

Friday night the Pittsburgh Pirates played the second game of their four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark

Thursday evening the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds kicked off a four-game series at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. After kicking off the series by out slugging the Reds in a 9-6 victory, the Pirates were looking to take a step toward their first series victory of the season on Friday night.

Unfortunately, that second step toward a series victory will have to wait until Saturday. Following another late inning bullpen meltdown, the Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated by the Cincinnati Reds 8-1 on Friday night. With the loss, the Pirates are now 4-14 on the season. Also, with the loss, the Pittsburgh Pirates remain the only MLB that have not won back-to-back games yet this season.

Kuhl and the Gang

Friday night Chad Kuhl made his second start of the season for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This start was the first of the Pirates ditching the piggyback strategy they had been using with Kuhl and Steven Brault.

Kuhl turned in a strong start on Friday allowing 3 runs in 5 innings of work. All 3 runs that Kuhl allowed were via home run balls off the bat of the red hot Jesse Winker. Outside of the Winker home runs, Kuhl allowed just two other hits to go with one walk and six strikeouts.

In 14 innings of work this season Kuhl now owns a healthy 3.21 ERA to go with 18 strikeouts and just four walks. His fastball has been a power pitch, while his slider and curveball both have been plus pitches. Working his way back from missing all of 2019 due to Tommy John surgery, Kuhl looks the best he ever has in his MLB career.

If Kuhl can continue to pitch the way he has through the remainder of the season, he will firmly pitch himself into being part of the future plans of the starting rotation for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The sky remains the limit for Kuhl.

The Wheels Come Off in the 7th Inning

Nik Turley replaced Kuhl and pitched a scoreless 6th inning, which included a pair of strikeouts. Then in the 7th inning, Chris Stratton took the mound. So far this season Stratton has been arguably the best pitcher out of the bullpen for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Unfortunately, things went sideways for him on Friday night.

Stratton allowed a double to start the inning, this was followed by an infield hit when a poor throw by Kevin Newman pulled Josh Bell off the bag at first base. Stratton then induced what looked like a double play ball, but second baseman Adam Frazier hesitated after fielding the ball and it cost them the double play. This would prove to be costly.

After allowing a two-out single, Stratton gave up his first home run of the season. The 3-run shot by Nick Castellanos made the score 7-1 Reds. The home run was also a Great American Smallpark, I mean Ballpark, specialty. At most ballparks, the ball would have been a fly out to center field. After a base hit that went in and out of Newman’s glove, Stratton’s night ended.

Stratton’s outing saw him surrendered 4 runs in 2/3 of an inning pitched. While the poor outing was far from being all Stratton’s fault, it still was not a good night for the Pirate righty. That said, he is still someone who can be trusted in any high leverage situation.

Brandon Makes MLB Debut

Making his MLB debut, left-handed reliever Brandon Waddell impressed to begin. After Stratton got into trouble, he entered in the bottom of the 7th inning and struck out the red hot Winkler to end the inning.

Waddell then retired the first two batters of the 8th inning, including another strikeout. However, he allowed another Cincinnati run after surrendering back-to-back doubles. He would then get a ground ball to end the inning.

Non-Existent Offense

One night after exploded for 9 runs on three home runs in game one of the series, the Pittsburgh Pirates fell flat on their faces offensively on Friday night.

The lone Pirates run of the night came when Bryan Reynolds hit a solo home run, his 1st of the season, in the 4th inning. Outside of the Reynolds home run, the Pirates had just four other hits to go with one walk. Pirate batters also struck out 13 times.

With Reynolds, Bell, Newman, Frazier, and Gregory Polanco all struggling, it is not hard to understand why the Pirate offense is struggling. Until those hitters, or at least a portion of them, get going offensively it is tough to envision the Pirate offense improving.

Those hitters struggling is probably what has been the most disheartening part of the season thus far. The Pirates were expected to struggle, so you want to see your core players put together strong seasons and take another step forward. Other than Colin Moran and Erik Gonzalez, none of their hitters appear to better, or even equal to, the hitters than were last season. This is most alarming to see with Reynolds and Newman, both of whom project to be long term answers for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

What’s Next

The third game of the series is scheduled for 6:10 PM on Saturday evening. Steven Brault (5.14 ERA, 4.37 FIP) will take the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cincinnati Reds will counter with early season NL Cy Young Award candidate Trevor Bauer (0.93 ERA, 1.89 FIP).