Pittsburgh Pirates Outscored 31-9, Swept by the Cincinnati Reds

Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Bryan Reynolds (10) slides into third after hitting an RBI triple in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.Cincinnati Reds Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Bryan Reynolds (10) slides into third after hitting an RBI triple in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.Cincinnati Reds Pittsburgh Pirates
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CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 06: Pitching coach Oscar Marin #47 of the Pittsburgh Pirates talks with JT Brubaker #34 after giving up a three-run home run to Tucker Barnhart #16 of the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning at Great American Ball Park on August 6, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 06: Pitching coach Oscar Marin #47 of the Pittsburgh Pirates talks with JT Brubaker #34 after giving up a three-run home run to Tucker Barnhart #16 of the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning at Great American Ball Park on August 6, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Pirate bullpen has an up and down weekend

In addition to their starting rotation, the Pirate bullpen took their lumps over the weekend as well. However the bullpen also had moments where they pitched well and were a bright spot for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirate bullpen book ended the series with good games. In Thursday night’s loss Duane Underwood Jr., Anthony Banda and Nick Mears combined to pitch 4 scoreless innings. Banda and David Bednar combined to pitch 3 scoreless innings in Sunday’s loss.

In the middle two games of the series, however, the Pirate bullpen struggled immensely. While both starting pitchers struggled in these games, the bullpen struggles played a role in the Pirates getting blown out.

Between Friday and Saturday night the Pirate bullpen allowed 8 runs in 6 innings of work. While Luis Oviedo pitch 2 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts on Friday night, every other Pirate reliever used across these games allowed at least 1 run.

Kyle Keller allowed a run in 1 inning of work Friday night. Saturday night, it was a team effort. Chasen Shreve allowed 2 runs in 2 innings pitched. Chris Stratton allowed 4 runs while recording just a single out. Mears then made his second appearances of the series and allowed a home run.

Schedule