Michael Lorenzen made his second ever major league start, however Pittsburgh Pirates fans may be unable to tell after allowing one run on three hits in Tuesday night’s 7-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
“We’ve still got to keep working on having manageable at-bats, that’s the one thing we continue to talk about, making sure that we’re getting the pitch we want early in the count,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “We missed some pitches we probably could have hit tonight, we’ve just got to do what men do, roll your sleeves up and keep working.”
Jeff Locke [2-2] lost his second consecutive start. The damage was done with two-run second and third innings in addition to a three-run ninth inning.
Todd Frazier start off the second inning with a lead-off home run, which was his National League leading ninth of the season. Consecutive hits by Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce put runners on the corners. After Kristopher Negron walked to load the bases, Brayan Pena grounded out to Neil Walker. Walker, who made a defensive play in the first inning to stop a potential single, made another in this sequence flipping the ball to Jordy Mercer who caught the ball against his body and threw to first to turn a double play. This scored Phillips.
In the third, Billy Hamilton singled and Marlon Byrd hit his fourth home run of the season to left-center field. Byrd is now the first player in PNC Park history to hit a home run there for four different teams (Cubs, Pirates, Phillies and Reds).
Locke then settled down allowing one hit in his final four innings of work. His final line was seven innings pitched, seven hits, four runs, two walks and five strikeouts in 101 pitches 65 of which were strikes.
“There was an early hole that was dug and to his credit he was able to put a foot down and pitch four scoreless,” said Hurdle. “He kept them off-balance and the mix became a bigger part of what he was doing out there.”
Starling Marte accounted for the lone Pirates run with his seventh home run of the season.
The Pirates had an opportunity to add runs in the fourth inning loading the bases with two outs. Walker singled and both Marte and Pedro Alvarez drew four pitch walks. Jung-ho Kang had a hard hit ball however it flew right into Hamilton’s waiting glove.
An additional opportunity presented itself in the seventh inning with Alvarez and Kang reaching base with no outs. Lorenzen [1-1] was removed from the game and replaced by Jumbo Diaz, however Mercer hit a ball right at Hamilton and pinch-hitter Corey Hart grounded into a double play ending the threat.
The Reds added three runs in the ninth inning against Antonio Bastardo. Negron snapped an 0-for 23 streak at the plate with a single and advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Negron stole his first base of the season and then pinch-hitter Devin Mosoraco walked. Hamilton singled to score Negron and Byrd hit a double into the right-center field gap to score Mesoraco and Hamilton.
Aroldis Chapman came in to pitch the ninth inning in a non-save situation and walked three of the first four batters he faced. He struck out Alvarez and pinch-hitter Sean Rodriguez. Gregory Polanco struck out to end the game.
The Reds both walked and struck out seven in this game.
These two teams will play again Wednesday with Mike Leake [1-1 3.03 ERA] taking on Gerrit Cole [4-0 1.76 ERA]. Against the Pirates, Leake is 6-3 in 21 career starts while posting a 3.28 ERA. Leake is 1-3 with a 2.86 ERA in 10 starts at PNC Park. Cole is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three career starts against the Reds.
Notebook:
For the fifth time this season Andrew McCutchen was 0-for-4 in a game. It is also the 12th game he has appeared in in which he does not have a hit. McCutchen is batting .185 on the season.
“Right now it’s not going the way that I expected it to go,” McCutchen told reporters following the game. “I’m seeing the ball well but right now the ball is not jumping and I’m not squaring up balls the way I should be. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get back to where I know I’m capable of being the player I am capable of being. Right now I’m not being that player and I take full responsibility for how we’re playing, I know I’m a big part of it. Right now I’m just not where I need to be.”
McCutchen insisted his struggles are not due to injury and that he feels strong. His frustration is clear.
“I’m sick and tied of going 0-for-3 and 0-for 4,” said McCutchen said. “I’m better than that. I’m not doing what I should be doing with the money I’m making.”
