Pittsburgh Pirates Drop First of Six in the Windy City

Tuesday night the Pittsburgh Pirates kicked off a six game, two team trip through the city of Chicago with a 4-2 loss against the White Sox

Coming off a strong 4-3 homestand that ended with a come-from-behind victory over the St. Louis Cardinals that was capped off with a walk-off home run by Yoshi Tsutsugo, the Pittsburgh Pirates arrived in Chicago looking to stay hot. Tuesday night the Pirates kicked off a six-day stay in the Windy City with the first game of a two-game series against the White Sox.

After the Pirates wrap up their brief two-game stint on the Southside of Chicago they will head north to Wrigley for a four-game series against the Cubs. Despite entering the 6th inning with the game tied the first game of six in the Windy City did not go the way the Pirates hoped for, suffering a 4-2 loss against the White Sox. With the loss the Pirates are now 48-84 on the season.

5th inning rally ties it for the Pirates

In the 1st inning the Pirates wasted a golden scoring opportunity. Ben Gamel found himself on third base with no one out following a walk, stolen base and a White Sox error. However, Lucas Giolito was able to strand Gamel there.

This was the only good scoring opportunity the Pirates had until the 5th inning, which they entered trialing 2-0. Hoy Park walked to start the inning and took second base on a one out wild pitch by Giolito. After Gamel reached on an infield hit that moved Park to third base, Park would come around to score on another Giolito wild pitch. This cut the White Sox lead to 2-1.

Gamel’s infield hit was one that Giolito fielded in front of home plate. When he went to fire the ball to first base Giolito appeared to land awkwardly on his left leg. This led to three mound visits in the next two at-bats, ultimately ending Giolito’s night.

After Giolito was lifted for Ryan Tepera, Tepera issued a walk to Wilmer Difo. Then with two outs in the inning Colin Moran singled to right field, scoring Gamel, moving Difo to third base and tying the game at 2. Jacob Stallings then struck out to end the inning.

Bryse Wilson pitches better than his final line

Tuesday night Bryse Wilson made his 5th start with the Pittsburgh Pirates since joining the team at the trade deadline. Wilson turned in four strong starts to begin his Pirate career and appeared to be on his way to doing that again on Tuesday night until a serious of unfortunate events struck in the 6th inning.

Entering the 6th inning Wilson had allowed 2 runs, both on solo home runs, on just 4 hits and a walk. Following an infield hit and a bloop single to right field the White Sox had runners on the corners with no one out in the 6th inning.

At this point Wilson was lifted for Chasen Shreve who issued a pair of walks. While Shreve also struck out a pair while cleaning up the 6th inning, it came after he allowed both runners he inherited to score.

When the dust settled Wilson was charged with 4 runs on 6 hits and a walk in 5+ innings pitched. This line, however, was not indicative of how Wilson pitched. He was snakebitten by some bad luck and Shreve failing to strand inherited runners in the 6th inning. Throughout the start Wilson’s stuff looked good and his pitches had quality movement. Additionally, the solo home run he allowed to Jose Abreu was one that would not have been a home run at very many other ballparks, PNC Park included.

Wilson now owns a 3.60 ERA in 25 innings pitched as a Pirate as he continues to flash why Ben Cherington was interested in Wilson at the trade deadline.

What’s next?

The final game of this brief two game series will see the Pittsburgh Pirates send Mitch Keller (6.75 ERA, 4.87 FIP) to the mound. Lefty Carlos Rodón (2.43 ERA, 2.70 FIP) who is have a borderline dominant season for the White Sox is slated to start for Chicago. First pitch from Guaranteed Rate Field is scheduled for 8:10 PM ET.