Pirates Late Rally Not Enough in 4-3 Loss to Dodgers

Ever since the Pirates 14-4 win over the Brewers in the first game of Saturday’s double header, runs have been scarce.

Coming into tonight, the Pirates scored just two runs over their last three games. In those three games the Pirates combined to go just 2 for 19 (.105) with runners in scoring position.

The offensive struggles continued again tonight as the Pirates managed just three runs, while going 1 for 11 with RISP.

Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes, the team’s two hottest hitters had pretty good nights at the plate compared to the rest of the lineup. Reynolds hit three balls that had exit velocities of at least 106 MPH, and Hayes reached base twice, once via base hit and once via a base on balls.

The rest of the Pirates offense combined to go 3 for 27.

On the mound for the Pirates, Wil Crowe went just four innings, allowing two runs on five hits and a pair of walks. He struck out four while throwing 85 pitches/51 strikes.

The Dodgers got on the board first after AJ Pollock delivered a bloop single that scored a pair in the third.

After a Hayes leadoff single in the fourth, Reynolds lined a 107 MPH RBI double into the left-center field gap. Reynolds eventually scored on a fielder’s choice from Jacob Stallings, tying the game at two.

The Dodgers retook the lead in the fifth after Matt Beaty hit a two-out, two-run double down the first base line off of Cody Ponce, making the score 4-2.

For the second straight night, Yoshi Tsutsugo doubled off of Kenley Jansen in the ninth. After a Gregory Polanco walk, Colin Moran delivered a pinch hit RBI single.

Jansen retired the next two to pick up his 25th save of the year.

The final game of the series is tomorrow night, another 10:10 first pitch (Why?). JT Brubaker (4-12, 5.13 ERA) will go for the Pirates, Dodgers starter TBA.

Stat of the Game: 

• Bryan Reynolds entered play tonight hitting .340 on the road this season. He leads all qualified National League players with that mark and trails only the Astros’ Michael Brantley (.387) in all MLB. It has been a major turn around for Reynolds after hitting just .111 away from PNC Park last season.

Takeaways:

• Hot Summer Hayes: Since August 5, Hayes is hitting .326 (14 for 43) in 12 games. He has recorded a homer, two doubles, four RBIs and five walks during that stretch. Additionally, he has reached base safely in 11 out of those 12 games.
• Inefficient, But Effective: After giving up two runs in four innings tonight, Crowe has been pretty good over his last five starts, going 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA (8er/24ip) and 26 punch outs. Pitch efficiency has been an issue for Crowe, who has not reached 5ip in any of his last three starts. It took him 85 pitches to get through four innings tonight, and on the season Crowe is averaging just about 19 pitches per inning.
• Dodger Blues: The Pirates have now lost 15 straight games to the Dodgers and 12 straight games at Dodger Stadium. They’re last win in Chavez Ravine came over five years ago on 8/14/16, an 11-3 Pirates victory. Only three players who played in that game are still on their respective teams – Gregory Polanco and Chad Kuhl for the Pirates and Corey Seager for the Dodgers.