Pittsburgh Pirates: Grading Series Loss Against the Indians in 2020 Finale

Pirate Bullpen

After Keller’s 5 no-hit iinnings, Nik Turley was next up for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of the seires. Turley kept the no-hitter alive, by firing a 1-2-3 6th inning. Sam Howard took over i nthe 7th inning, and lost the no-hitter to a one-out bunt single. Howard also walked a batter, but he struck out a pair as well.

After Chris Stratton pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning, the Pirates entered the 9th inning lead 3-1. In the 9th inning, things came unglued for Stratton who allowed 3 runs on a walk and three hits. This led to a walk off hit by the Indians with two outs in the inning, finishing off a 4-3 come back victory.

Saturday night, the Pirate bullpen picked up where Musgrove left off. Nick Tropeano and Dovydas Neverauskas each pitched an inning in relief of Big Joe. Each allowed a single, and Neverauskas also walked a batter, but each pitched posted a zero in a 8-0 Pirate victory.

Sunday afternoon saw more inconsistency from the Priate bullpen.

Geoff Hartlieb relieved Brubaker in the 6th inning and pitched a scoreless frame. Turley was next up in the 7th, but allowed 3 runs and suffered the loss. Blake Cederlind then struck out a batter in a 1-2-3 8th inning. For the second time in three nights the Pirate bullpen was handed a lead and could not close the game out.

The Verdict 

Overall, it was not a good week for the Pirate bullpen. They were handed a lead on both Friday night and Sunday afternoon, but allowed a combined 6 runs in these two games leading to a Pirate loss. This drags down the bullpen’s grade despite a good night on Saturday.

Grade: C-