Pittsburgh Pirates: Offense Has Much Needed Big Inning in Game Two, Takeaways From Series Split in Detroit

The Pittsburgh Pirates fell in game one as the offense and Luis Ortiz struggle. Game two was the opposite result as the offense finally comes alive behind a great start from Rich Hill

In game one of the short two-game series, it was a continuation of lackluster offense as the Pittsburgh Pirates were blanked behind just five hits, only one of them being an extra-base hit. The ongoing offensive slump marks some of the worst baseball for the Pirates on that side of the ball in decades.

However, the Pirates did have runners in scoring position multiple times throughout the game, in the second, fourth, and fifth innings. Which of course resulted in no runs as the team finished a dreadful 0-5 with RISP. Reynolds (three strikeouts), Suwinski, and Bae would all finish the game hitless.

Ortiz struggles in just 3 innings pitched

Luis Ortiz struggled as well, finishing his outing with 4 runs allowed (3 earned) in just 3 innings pitched. Two of the runs were allowed in the 1st inning, where Ortiz threw 32 pitches and walked two batters. Ortiz would try to keep the game within reach, but a costly throwing error and a wild pitch only made things worse for the young right-hander as two more runs would come across. The bullpen made up of Yohan Ramirez and Duane Underwood Jr would shut down the Tigers for the remainder of the game, however, with the offense stuck in the mud, the game was a wrap.