The Pirates began this season feeling more optimistic than
most outside the organization about their chances of reaching the postseason.
After a hot start, and again after their 11-game winning streak in July, they
had reason to believe in this year's team.
But a rough August prompted the Pirates to shift their focus
toward next year, and whatever hopes they had for this season were officially
dashed after a mistake-filled, 13-6 loss to the Brewers on Sunday afternoon at
PNC Park. The defeat dropped the Bucs' National League Wild Card elimination
number to one, and the Cardinals' 9-2 win over the Giants mathematically
eliminated the Pirates from playoff contention.
The Pirates head out on their final road trip of the year --
a seven-game swing through Chicago and Cincinnati -- sitting two games above
.500. They still have a shot to put together a winning season, their first
since 2015, but this will be their third straight October spent watching the
postseason from home.
They will head into the offseason feeling good about their
rotation, a group fronted by Jameson Taillon, Trevor Williams and Chris Archer.
They have five reliable arms at the back end of their bullpen: Felipe Vazquez,
Kyle Crick, Keone Kela, Richard Rodriguez and Edgar Santana. But they will seek
more power for their lineup, which has been the cause of their hot stretches
and the culprit behind most of their extended slumps.
They won't find many answers looking back on Sunday's
performance. Right-hander Nick Kingham, pitching in place of the injured Joe
Musgrove, struggled from the start. He gave up one run in the first and five
more in the second, when Christian Yelich and Travis Shaw bashed a pair of
homers. Pitching as late into the season as he ever has, the rookie allowed
seven hits and two walks while recording only four outs in his first appearance
since Sept. 8.
The Pirates pulled within three as Josh Harrison and Jordy
Mercer each ripped a two-run double in the fifth. But the game got out of hand
in the sixth after right-hander Michael Feliz replaced lefty Steven Brault with
the bases loaded and two outs.
Feliz promptly walked in two runs and then, with Eric Thames
batting, uncorked a wild pitch that wound up clearing the bases. The pitch
bounced away from catcher Elias Diaz, making his first start since Aug. 31, and
toward the Brewers' dugout. Jesus Aguilar scored easily, and Ryan Braun hustled
home. Feliz couldn't grab Josh Bell's throw home, allowing Orlando Arcia to
score from first.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
A FOND FAREWELL?
Likely playing their final home games as Pirates, Harrison and Mercer each
received a standing ovation and pointed toward the crowd in thanks as they left
the field in the eighth inning. Out of respect for the two veterans, Hurdle replaced
Harrison with Adam Frazier with one out in the eighth and pulled Mercer for
Kevin Newman with two outs.
Harrison has a $10.5 million club option for next season
that the Pirates aren't likely to exercise, as Huntington has said Frazier is
ready for an everyday role. Mercer will be a free agent at the end of the
season, although he could return to mentor Newman. Both veterans played
prominent roles for Pittsburgh as the Bucs returned to the postseason in 2013,
'14 and '15.
SOUND SMART
Assuming they do not play their rescheduled game against the
Marlins on Oct. 1 since both teams are out of the postseason race, the Pirates
will finish the season 44-36 at home. They went 44-37 at PNC Park last year.
The Bucs drew 1,465,316 fans to PNC Park over 78 home dates,
including a pair of doubleheaders, for an average attendance of 18,786.
TRAINER’S ROOM
BREWERS: CF
Lorenzo Cain went 2 for 5 in his return to the lineup. Cain missed
two games and was limited to pinch-hitting duty on Saturday night
with an intercostal strain in his ribs.
PIRATES: CF
Starling Marte was removed after experiencing tightness in his left calf while
running down the first-base line in the fourth inning. … C Francisco Cervelli
(gastrointestinal discomfort) was available to hit off the bench and should
return to the lineup in Chicago on Monday. … RHP Edgar Santana is scheduled to
undergo tests on Monday after exiting Friday night’s game with tightness in his
right arm.
UP NEXT
BREWERS: Head to
St. Louis for a pivotal three-game series with the Cardinals, who occupy the
second wild-card spot. Chase Anderson (9-8, 3.93 ERA) starts on Monday
against Jack Flaherty (8-8, 3.08).
PIRATES: Begin a
four-game series in Chicago on Monday against the Cubs. Jameson Taillon (13-9,
3.24) faces Chicago’s Cole Hamels (9-10, 3.90).
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