Pirates’ Lethargic Offense Stifled Again in Second Straight Shutout

The Pirates suffered a 1-0 road loss to the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, July 5, picking up just two hits (three baserunners) and never advancing past first base.

Pittsburgh (38-52) starter Mike Burrows pitched five scoreless innings, fanning six batters and working through traffic for much of his time on the mound, but reliever Caleb Ferguson gave up a run after allowing two doubles. The Mariners didn’t need any more offense against the Pirates’ lethargic bats, who haven’t plated a run over their last 19 innings of play.

Two Spencer Horwitz singles were all that saved Pittsburgh from a no-hitter. Mariners starter Luis Castillo carried a perfect game through the first three innings and went seven in total, striking out eight on an efficient 99 pitches.

The Pirates’ best offensive chance (relatively speaking) came in the fourth, which Horwitz led off with a single. Two quick strikeouts quashed any chance of a rally. Horwitz’ sixth-inning single came with two outs; Tommy Pham walked with one out in the eighth, but a Joey Bart fielder’s choice immediately wiped out the lead runner.

Pittsburgh’s bats went down in order in the ninth. Horwitz and Andrew McCutchen struck out on three pitches before a Bryan Reynolds fly ball mercifully ended their struggles. The Pirates will play to avoid the sweep beginning at 4:10 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, sending staff ace Paul Skenes (4-7, 2.03 ERA, 111 innings pitched and 115 strikeouts) to face Mariners’ right-hander George Kirby (2-4, 4.85 ERA, 42.2 innings pitched and 41 strikeouts).