CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
No exaggeration, yesterday’s game was the worst in Pirate history. Never in the franchise’s 124 years has the team allowed such a lopsided score like the 20-0 loss to the Milwaukie Brewers.
It was a perfect storm for the infamous day. It goes without saying that the team got a horrible day from Dannel McCutchen who pitched 3.2 innings allowing 8 hits, 6 earned runs, and 2 home runs in the drubbing.
Interestingly McCutchen ERA did not change, staying at a dismal 14.73.
But it was more than just bad starting pitching as the bullpen looked tired and ineffective. This was not a surprise as the bullpen has been stretched to the breaking point after Wednesday night, when the pen had to carry the team 8 full innings.
There were a total of 5 relief pitchers in the game including Carrasco who gave up 4 runs, Hanrahan who gave up 6 runs, and Dotel who gave up 4 runs to cap out the 20 run deficit.
But the Pirates offense must share some of this blame as they combined for 8 hits, but stranded a total of 10 runners.
Also, Lasting Milledge was caught stealing second base and picked off at first during the game helping to kill innings and cement the record.
The Brewers finished up the series with a combined score of 36-1 and outhit the Pirates 46-18. The series was the most lopsided victory in the Major League since 1993 when the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins by a combined total of 45-10.
The Brewers would also break another record by getting 25 hits and setting a new PNC ballpark record.
The Pirates were 7-5 going into the series and seemed to be on an upward swing. But with the team now below .500 and a 10 game road trip starting Friday, perhaps Pirate fans should brace for more hardship ahead.
