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

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 27: Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Indians runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run off JT Brubaker #65 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at Progressive Field on September 27, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 27: Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Indians runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run off JT Brubaker #65 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at Progressive Field on September 27, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 25: Ke’Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an RBI single during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on September 25, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 25: Ke’Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an RBI single during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on September 25, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The Bucco Bats

It was a weird weekend for the Pirate offense.

In Friday night’s loss, the Pirate offense only scored 3 runs with 2 of those 3 runs coming on a Gregory Polanco home run. Despite the poor offensive output, they were position to win the game until Stratton ran into trouble in the 9th inning. However, going 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position is not a recipe for success for any offense.

Saturday and Sunday were good days for the Pirate offense. They plated 8 runs on Saturday night and then 6 more runs on Sunday afternoon. This included an incredible stretch from Ke’Bryan Hayes in which he went 5-for-5 on Saturday, and then had a single, home run and a walk in his first three trips to the plate on Sunday afternoon. The offensive output also included home runs from Jose Osuna on Saturday and Sunday, and a home run from Colin Moran on Saturday night.

Despite scoring 14 runs acorss these two games, the Pirate offense still found a way to waste scoring opportunities. They went just 5-for-16 with RISP in these two games and left 13 men on base.

Next. An Emerging OF Propsect. dark

The Verdict

It was not a bad series for the Pirate offense. That said, they also wasted some scoring opportunities. With more efficient offense the Pittsburgh Pirates may have walked away with a series victory this weekend.

Grade: B