There is always a saying Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle tells the media after games, and it certainly applied to Monday’s 8-5 victories over the Atlanta Braves.
“So what? Now what?”
There was the classic debacle for a Pittsburgh sports fan about whether to watch this game or the Penguins-Lightning Eastern Conference game, and the Pirates attempted to make the decision easier.
After three innings, the Pirates led 5-0, and the game appeared over. The Braves have won nine games this season and several times their manager Fredi Gonzalez has come under fire.
Fans were feeling safe to turn the channel. That kind of lead is a safe bet with the Pirates, especially considering the opponent.
That was until it wasn’t.
It started innocently. The Pirates were trying to avoid using their higher-leverage bullpen members and figured it was time to give Cory Luebke an opportunity up six runs.
The Pirates had a 16-0 record this season when leading after seven innings, and this appeared a good chance for Luebke to make his first appearance on the mound since being activated from the disabled list.
Instead, Luebke allowed the first two batters to reach base on the opening two pitches of the inning. He then allowed an RBI ground out to Jeff Francoeur and a two-run home run to Kelly Johnson.
Earlier in the game, Francoeur had a two-run home run. To add some perspective, those home runs represented 18 percent of the Braves homers this season. This was just the second game all season that the Braves have hit two home runs. The other occasion was Opening Day April 4 against the Washington Nationals.
Now the game was within three runs and Hurdle had to go into his bullpen.
It has been a tough start to Jared Hughes’s season, as he has allowed seven hits and walked seven batters in 6.1 innings. Control is normally a forte for Hughes, but it had been below par early on and opponents also came into the inning batting .304 against him.
After Hughes allowed a single to Tyler Flowers, he had to apply Hurdle’s advice.
It took two pitches to record the final two outs.
So what? Now what?
The Pirates were also down a starter in this game with Starling Marte out on maternity leave for at least a couple days.
In his place was Matt Joyce. All he did was go 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs batted in, creating the deficit of the game all by himself.
His RBI single against Williams Perez was part of a three-run first inning and seventh inning two run home run against Alexi Ogando proved to be important insurance runs.
It’s been quite the 43 at-bats for Joyce who improved his batting average to .372.
Last season was disappointing to say the least for Joyce. He underperformed in just about every aspect and was looking for a chance to redeem himself.
Now he has that chance with his fourth major league team and has made the most of it.
So what? Now what?
Currently the Pirates have just begun 24 consecutive contests with opponents outside the NL Central a welcome break from 23 of 36 games to open this season in the division.
This is the chance for the Pirates to find their footing.
Sure results such as tonight can leave an uneasy feeling considering how the Braves have played to date this season, but there are still three games in the series to play.
It’s time to turn the page from this game and move on.
Up next
This four-game series continues when Juan Nicasio (3-3, 4.34 ERA) faces Aaron Blair (0-2, 4.05 ERA). Nicasio has a 1-4 career record with an 8.44 ERA in nine career appearances (three starts) against the Braves.
Photo credit: @Pirates
