Pirates Preview: Cant Afford to Lose More Ground

The Pittsburgh Pirates came up just short in the 10th inning and lost 9-8 to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.

David Bednar blew the save in the ninth inning and the Padres scored three runs against Colin Holderman in the 10th. The Pirates rallied for two runs in the bottom of the extra frame but couldn’t push across the tying run.

The Pirates (56-57) are in need of a win to cap off a miserable homestand in the series finale against the Padres (63-52) on Thursday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 12:35 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Temperatures in the mid-80s with intermittent clouds. Winds ESE at 8 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Luis Ortiz (5-2, 3.21 ERA)

After cruising through his first four starts of the season, Ortiz has struggled over his last two outings — both against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Combined between his last two starts, Ortiz has allowed nine runs in 10.1 innings and four homers, three of which came consecutively in the top of the first inning to begin the homestand.

Ortiz posted a 0.73 ERA (2er/24.2ip) over his first four starts of the season and had not allowed a homer in any of those four starts. In addition to the long ball, walks have plagued Ortiz. He’s issued six free passes over this last two appearances compared to five in his previous 45.2 innings across 10 appearances.

Ortiz has started against the Padres one other time and allowed four runs in 4.2 innings pitched.

The San Diego Padres Will Send Out RHP Randy Vásquez (3-6, 4.62 ERA)

Vásquez had a solid start for the Padres in his last outing against the Rockies. He allowed one run in five innings pitched and punched out four.

Outside of a two-inning clunker against the Orioles on July 28, Vásquez has been pitching well of late. Over his last seven starts, the right-hander owns a 3.24 ERA.

Vásquez relies more on soft contact than strikeouts. He throws six pitches — four-seamer, curveball, sinker, cutter, changeup and sweeper.

He has one relief appearance against the Pirates in his career and allowed two hits in 1.1 scoreless innings.

Padres Hitters vs. Ortiz

• Luis Arraez: 3 for 4
• Manny Machado: 0 for 3
• Donovan Solano: 0 for 3, two strikeouts
• Jurickson Profar: 1 for 2, one home run, one RBI
• Ha-Seong Kim: 1 for 1, one home run, two RBIs

Pirates Hitters vs. Vásquez

• Yasmani Grandal: 0 for 2
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 0 for 2
• Bryan De La Cruz: 1 for 1, one double one walk

Tidbits

• Andrew McCutchen homered and drove in three runs on Wednesday and tied Ralph Kiner for sixth on the Pirates’ all-time list with 802 RBIs.
• Aroldis Chapman threw back-to-back pitches registering 105.1 and 104.7 mph — the two hardest thrown pitches in Pirates’ history.
• The loss marked the Pirates third-straight defeat. It’s the first time since May 7-10 the Pirates have lost three-straight games.

Links

Pirates Getting Closer to a Starting Rotation Boost

Pirates Minor League Report: Cheng, White Hit Homers

WATCH: Aroldis Chapman Lights Up Radar Gun With Fastest Recorded Pirates Pitches

Pirates Fall to Padres After 10th Inning Drama Caps Off Wild Game at PNC Park

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