Pirates

Pirates Preview: When Will Losing Streak End?

Published

4 months ago

August 13, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped their eighth-straight game with a 2-1 loss to the San Diego Padres on Monday night at PETCO Park.

Jake Woodford worked a career-high six innings and Andrew McCutchen extended his hitting streak to nine games with an RBI single in the ninth but Padres centerfielder Jackson Merrill made a game-ending diving catch to seal the win for San Diego.

After falling to the cellar of the National League, the Pirates (56-62) will look to stop the bleeding in the second game of the series against the Padres (67-53).

First pitch is set for 9:40 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Another beautiful night for a game with clear skies, temperatures in the 70s and slight winds blowing west at 6 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Luis Ortiz (5-2, 3.40 ERA)

Ortiz’s last start came against the Padres on Thursday when he allowed four runs across six innings pitched.

After allowing two runs in 24.2 innings over his first four starts of the season, Ortiz has posted a 7.16 ERA (13er/16.1ip) over his last three starts.

Ortiz’s recent struggles can be attributed to home runs and walks, two issues he avoided earlier in the season. In his last three starts, opponents have connected on six home runs against him and he’s walked seven against nine strikeouts.

The right-hander has made two starts against the Padres and has allowed eight runs in 10.2 innings.

The San Diego Padres Will Send Out RHP Michael King (9-6, 3.34 ERA)

King faced the Pirates at PNC Park on Wednesday and allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits with seven strikeouts in five innings.

Though the Pirates had success against him, King had a robust 2.27 ERA over his last 11 starts entering play dating all the way back to May 27.

King’s 151 strikeouts on the season are good for eighth-most entering play. His 10.51 strikeouts per nine innings, meanwhile, ranks sixth.

His last start against the Pirates was the first time he faced them in his career.

Padres Hitters vs. Ortiz

Luis Arraez: 4 for 7
Manny Machado: 1 for 6, one home run, two RBIs
Xander Bogaerts: 1 for 5, one walk
Jake Cronenworth: 1 for 5, one walk
David Peralta: 1 for 4, one home run, two RBIs
Jurickson Profar: 1 for 4, one home run, one RBI
Ha-Seong Kim: 1 for 3, one home run, two RBIs
Jackson Merrill: 1 for 3, two strikeouts
Donovan Solano: 0 for 3, two strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. King

Rowdy Tellez: 1 for 9, one RBI, four strikeouts
Michael A. Taylor: 0 for 6, one strikeout
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 3, one triple
Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 3, one RBI, two strikeouts

Tidbits

Jake Woodford worked into the seventh inning for the first time in his career on Monday. His previous career-high in a start was 5.2 innings against the Cubs in 2021 while with the Cardinals.
Andrew McCutchen’s nine-game hitting streak is a season-long. He’s slashing .333/.455/.611 over that stretch.
In addition to their eight-game losing streak, the Pirates have lost 10 of their last 11. Seven of those 10 losses have been by a single run.