Pirates
Pirates Sloppy Early in Loss to Reds; Frazier’s Home Run Not Enough
The first-inning struggles that plagued Bailey Falter last season arose again on Friday night in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 5-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark.
How We Got There
Falter (0-2) walked the first three batters he faced before trading a run for a much-needed double play ball against Spencer Steer. However, Falter was unable to escape having allowed just the one run as Jeimer Candelario hit a 2-0 fastball over the fence in left field for a two-run home run.
In the top of the third, Endy Rodríguez, who entered the game for Joey Bart, committed a throwing error to third base on a ball in the dirt. Two runs scored on the play, giving the Reds (6-8) a 5-0 lead.
Tommy Pham got the Pirates (5-9) on the board with an RBI double in the fifth inning — their first hit of the game. Adam Frazier followed by hitting a two-run home run for his first long ball off the season.
Adam Frazier leaves the yard for the first time this season #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/DJzEtHWejr
— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) April 12, 2025
Key Moment
Who knows what would have happened had Falter retired Candealrio in the first inning instead of surrendering a two-run home run. Given how the Pirates’ offense has performed this season, that was a devastating blow.
Star of the Game
The Reds’ bullpen combined to shutout the Pirates on two hits and one walk in 4.0 innings. Three relievers combined for five strikeouts.
Notable Pirates’ Performers
- Bailey Falter: 5.0 innings, three hits, five runs (three earned), five walks, four strikeouts, 79 pitches/45 strikes
- Joey Wentz: 1.2 innings, no hits, no runs, no walks, no strikeouts, 20 pitches/14 strikes
- Adam Frazier: 1 for 3, one home run, two RBI, one run
- Tommy Pham: 1 for 3, one double, one RBI, one run
- Ke’Bryan Hayes: 0 for 2, two walks
Stat to Know
Pham’s RBI double off Brady Singer (3-0) with one out in the fifth was the Pirates’ first hit against a starting pitcher since Bryan Reynolds homered off St. Louis Cardinals to lead off the fourth inning on Tuesday. The Pirates only have four hits in 16 innings against an opposing starter over their last three games.
Noteworthy
- C Joey Bart was removed from the game after the first inning with low back discomfort. His status is day-to-day.
- The Pirates recalled RHP Kyle Nicolas from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned RHP Thomas Harrington.
Up Next
LHP Andrew Heaney (0-0, 1.50 ERA) will start for the Pirates on Saturday night after a stellar outing last weekend. Fellow LHP Andrew Abbott will be activated from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut. First pitch: 6:40 ET.
Deadline adds of BDLC and RP Beeks were made to appease the public, if wrong
then a double standard exists. How can this be?
The 2 usual suspects, (NUT N/A) require a prospect to maintain a certain
BB/K ratio before being promoted. If ratio fails in BIGS its back to AAA to fix it
Gonzo was an impact bat they needed sooner than mid May, Peggy was blocked by ALIKA “DFA” WILLIAMS along with his PUTRID 2% BB rate
Matt Gorski who fixed his without sacrificing power is still blocked
Anyone reading and following knows all about this
Gorski displays a GOLD GLOVE anywhere in the grass, strongest/accurate arm combo
in the system, runs like a deer, makes quick reads, take’s great angles to the ball
Michael Taylor was a late sign last year, this FO had to know of his hideous
career 33% K-RATE
A year older on downside of career coming to a new league without a spring
HOW DID YOU REALLY THINK THAT WOULD TURN OUT
Back to the deadline, BDLC with same shortcomings over 30% K RATE
ballooned to 35% while walking less than before he arrived if that was even possible
Yorke, Cook and Kiner were adds to help this year, we stole both kids for two pitchers
Priest and Reilly who weren’t going to fit on 40 man
Lastly they sold high on C-MAC to add Kiner as a bridge
I was excited for this team at the end of last year
BART, ENDY, GONZO, HAYES, KINER, BREY, CRUZ, YORKE and CUTCH
SADLY
Knuckleheads put their heads together AND LOST THEIR MINDS
FRAZIER, PHAM, VALDEZ, CANARIO, SUWINSKI, TRIOLO
21-163
.128
NICE WORK