Pirates somehow score 8 runs but bullpen still manages to ruin it in loss to Reds

In a staggering departure from the norm, the Pittsburgh Pirates actually got significant contributions from their offense in the form of eight runs against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. Unfortunately, it didn't end up mattering.

After dropping the first two games of the four-game series against the Pirates, Cincinnati followed up Saturday's 2-1 win by tagging the Pittsburgh bullpen for 10 runs in a 14-8 victory in Sunday's series finale.

The Pirates went deep into their bullpen in all four games of the series; and by Sunday, it showed. Pittsburgh was without bulk relievers Braxton Ashcraft and Carmen Mlodzinski, who had combined to pitch 6 1/3 innings in Saturday's loss, and the Reds tagged right-handed relievers Yohan Ramirez, Dauri Moreta and Cam Sanders for three, two and five runs, respectively.

Pirates starter Mike Burrows struck out five of the first 10 batters he faced before allowing four runs in the third inning. He responded nicely with two more scoreless innings, however, finishing his day with four runs on three hits and one walk with six strikeouts in five innings.

While a four-run deficit would usually be insurmountable for the Pirates' shoddy offense, their bats proved lively in a three-run fourth inning that appeared to be the beginning of a comeback. They followed it up with a game-tying run in the fifth inning, but their bullpen would ultimately prove to be their undoing.

Pirates somehow score 8 runs but bullpen still manages to ruin it in loss to Reds

The Pirates have since optioned Moreta to Triple-A Indianapolis to clear a spot on the active roster for Chase Shugart, who will reportedly be activated off the injured list ahead of Monday's series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. In five appearances for the Pirates this season, Moreta pitched to a 3.86 ERA with seven strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.

However, far greater problems persist for Pittsburgh. Cincinnati's 14 runs were the second-most scored in a game against the Pirates this season, trailing only the Colorado Rockies’ 17 runs on Aug. 1. It also marked the seventh time this season that an opponent scored double-digit runs against Pittsburgh – and it all happened while the Pirates (16) had more hits than the Reds (14).

Of course, the Pirates' bats couldn't come through when it mattered. They went just 4-for-18 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners on base. They also left the bases loaded without scoring – twice. Eight runs or not, that certainly doesn't sound like a team that knows how to win.

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