Pittsburgh Pirates: Young Bucs Shine and Other Takeaways From Sweeping the Padres

Bullpen has much needed bounce back series

After being a strength for the Pirates during the first two months of the season the Pirate bullpen has struggled for much of June. This included playing a large role in the Bucs losing three of four in Miami in their previous series. However, against the Padres, the Pirate bullpen had a big, and needed, bounce back series.

After Rich Hill pitched 6 innings in game one of the series, Roansy Contreras fired 3 scoreless innings of relief to finish off the game. Carmen Mlodzinski, Yerry De Los Santos, and Cody Bolton each pitched a scoreless inning of relief in game two. This included a vital scoreless 7th inning from Mlodzinski when the Pirate lead was only 2-1.

Then in game three, the much maligned and struggling Ryan Borucki pitched 1.1 scoreless innings. Dauri Moreta fired a scoreless 7th inning with two strikeouts looking like the Moreta we saw for much of the season prior to his recent struggles. Angel Perdomo got the first two outs of the 8th inning before David Bednar got the final four outs of the game for his 16th save of the season.

All told, the Pirate bullpen allowed six hits, walked four batters, and struck out 12 in 10.1 scoreless innings pitched. That's the Pirate bullpen we saw in April, May, and early June.

Help is also on the way for the Pirate bullpen. Colin Holderman will be activated off the injured list prior to the start of Friday's game against Milwaukee. This will likely lead to either Borucki or Bolton, both of whom have largely struggled, being optioned to Triple-A.