Rum Bunter Radio: Highs and Lows of Early May for the Pittsburgh Pirates

A series loss to the worst team in baseball followed by a victory of the best team in the NL, welcome to Pittsburgh Pirates baseball!

A club that turned to veteran Josh VanMeeter to catch for the first time in since he was fifteen years old and in high school. This was just game one against what some are considering the laughing stock of the league in the Cincinnati Reds. The Pittsburgh Pirates willed an 8-5 victory over the “Stockings” in game two of the double header, but would fall in game three Sunday on the heels of Zach Thompson’s 5 inning performance.

The midweek series provided an opportunity for the Pittsburgh Pirates to take on the national league’s best Los Angeles Dodgers in a best of three series. As Pirates fans everywhere braced for impact things got off to exciting start as Jose Quintana pieced together another gem, going six innings without allowing a run.

The Pirates would go on to a 5-1 victory in game one, but wouldn’t find the same success on Tuesday evening as Bryse Wilson returned to the mound for an official start.

He would go on to allow 6 runs in 2 and 1/3 innings of work, Pittsburgh eventually falling to LA 11-1.

Game three saw the Pirates take an early 3-0 and the Dodgers answer in the 7th inning to tie the game. Daniel Vogelbach would provide the answer though, as his towering shot gave the Pirates the lead for good, and ultimately the series over the 2020 World Series Champion.

Not only was there inconsistent baseball from the Pirates this week, but the roster followed suit. Transactions including the placement of Roberto Perez on the 60-day IL created space for last season’s backup Michael Perez to get another opportunity.

Rodolfo Castro recalled with the reassignment of Cole Tucker was just the final piece of roster news after the Pirates acquired former first rounder Tyler Beede from the Giants, designating Beau Sulser for assignment.

For more information on these roster moves, and everything in the world of Pirates baseball be sure to check out the rest of RumBunter.com.

Batten down the hatches, clear the decks and enjoy episode 84 of Rum Bunter Radio!