Pittsburgh Pirates: Struggles With RISP Prevent Series Victory

The Pittsburgh Pirates struggled mightily with RISP against the San Francisco Giants costing them a series victory in their four-game series

When the San Francisco Giants rolled into PNC Park this past Thursday the Pittsburgh Pirates had lost four series in a row. Against the Giants, however, the Pirates were able to somewhat right the ship by splitting their four-game series against the team with the most wins in the National League.

Entering the series the Pirate fans would have gladly settled for a series split against the Giants. What is frustrating, however, is the wasted opportunities. The Pittsburgh Pirates had plenty of offensive opportunities to win the series but failed to capitalize.

The series kicked off on Thursday night with a 3-1 Giant victory. The lone run the Pittsburgh Pirates scored came via a solo home run from Will Craig in the 8th inning. While the Pirates did not get many baserunners in the game, they did leave 5 runners on base while going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

Friday night the Pirates were 3-2 victors over the Giants. Despite the win they once again struggled with RISP. In the win the team eft 8 men on base while going a woeful 2-for-14 with RISP. This nearly cost the Pirates a victory.

Saturday night the Pirates were 8-6 winners courtesy of a walk-off home run by Jacob Stallings. Even in victory, again, the Pirates left plenty of opportunities on the table. As a team they were 4-for-10 with RISP. They also had two runners thrown out on the bases, including Adam Frazier being thrown out at the plate with the game tied in the 9th inning.

Sunday afternoon the Pirate offense scored just 1 run in a loss. As a group they went 1-for-7 with RISP and left 9 men on base. This included wasting a golden opportunity in the bottom of the 4th inning when they loaded the bases with no one out, but the lone run they could muster came on a Ka’ai Tom sacrifice fly.

In the two games the Pirates lost against the Giants in their four-game series they went 1-for-11 with RISP. This included leaving 14 runners on base. The Pirates lost these two games by a combined score of 7-2. With one or two more hits with RISP in these games, the Pirates easily could have taken three of four, if not swept, the Giants.