Pirates’ Strength Becomes Weakness in Loss to Blue Jays (+)

PITTSBURGH — All season long, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been one of the more aggressive teams on the bases — and it’s worked. That’s been a big reason as to why the Pirates started out the year on the right foot.

Entering play, the Pirates had 44 stolen, the most in the major leagues and were the only team with at least 40 in the category.

The Pirates, for the most part, have capitalized on the new rules which have encouraged more activity on the bases — whether with steals or advancing an extra 90 feet.

In their loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night, what has largely been a strength became a weakness and cost the Pirates.

The struggles began in the first inning, when with no outs and Bryan Reynolds at the plate, Ji Hwan Bae attempted and failed to swipe third base. A few pitches earlier, Bae stole second base but a big gamble didn’t pay off as Jays’ catcher Danny Jansen threw him out and took an RBI chance away from the club’s best hitter.