Pittsburgh Pirates Waste More Strong Pitching in Loss vs Giants

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 13: Will Craig #38 of the Pittsburgh Pirates crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on May 13, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 13: Will Craig #38 of the Pittsburgh Pirates crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on May 13, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

1. 4. Final. 3. 40

Wednesday night the Pittsburgh Pirates wasted more good pitching a 3-1 series-opening loss against the San Francisco Giants

When a lineup that lacks depth is missing two of their three best hitters they will be expected to struggle. That is what is currently happening with the Pittsburgh Pirates. What makes it frustrating is that the Pirates have been getting plenty of strong pitching of late.

Thursday night the Pittsburgh Pirates continued to waste strong pitching in a 3-1 loss against the San Francisco Giants. With the loss, the Pirates are now 3-11 in their last 14 games and 15-22 overall on the season.

In their last 11 games the Pittsburgh Pirates are allowing just 4.2 runs per game. 14 of the runs allowed in this stretch came in one game against the Reds, meaning they’ve allowed just 3.3 runs per game in the other 10. Despite this, due to a struggling offense they are just 3-8 in this 11 game stretch.

More strong pitching wasted

Wil Crowe started for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night and turned in a strong start. In 5 innings of work he allowed 3 runs on 6 hits, a walk and 5 strikeouts. Only 1 of the 3 runs Crowe allowed was earned, coming on a solo home run. Crowe now owns a 3.48 ERA in 20.2 innings of work this season.

In relief of Crowe the reliable Pirate bullpen pitched 4 scoreless innings.

Chasen Shreve worked around a walk and hit for a scoreless inning of work. Chris Stratton struck out 3 and did not allow a hit in 2 scoreless innings of work. Clay Holmes then capped off the night for the bullpen with a scoreless 9th inning. Overall, Shreve, Stratton and Holmes allowed just 2 hits, walked 3 and struck out 6 in their 4 scoreless innings of work.

Will Craig hits first career home run

With Phillip Evans joining Colin Moran on the 10-day injured list, the Pittsburgh Pirates made a roster move prior to the start of Thursday night’s matchup. This move was promoting former first-round pick Will Craig from Triple-A Indianapolis.

To this point Craig’s career has not gone as he had hoped. After going 0-for-4 in his first taste of MLB action last season he was taken off the roster during the offseason. After going unclaimed, he remained with the Pirates.

Well, with the Pirates in need of first base help Craig now has an opportunity. Thursday night he made the start at first base and started to take advantage of this opportunity. In the top of the 8th inning he hit a 107 MPH missile into the seats in right-center field. This gave Craig both his first career hit and home run, and accounted for the lone Pirate run of the night in a 3-1 loss.

Next. Pirates Remain Aggressive in International Free Agency. dark

What’s next?

Lefty Tyler Anderson (3.05 ERA, 3.12 FIP) will look to continue his strong start to the season when he toes the rubber for the Pittsburgh Pirates against one of his former clubs on Friday night. Kevin Gausman (1.97 ERA, 2.97 FIP) will look to stay hot for the Giants. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 6:35 PM ET.