One night after the Pirates staged a historic comeback for a win, they gave away a big lead and a game to the Giants. Here’s Joe Block.
Manager Derek Shelton says the Pirates bullpen couldn’t close it out.
Jared Jones gave up 3 runs in 6 innings pitched despite not being sharp. Shelton says a home run ball to Matt Chapman hurt.
Pirates pitchers gave up 8 walks on the night, including 2 by Carmen Mlodzinski in the crucial 10th inning. Shelton was frustrated with the lack of control by his pitchers.
Jones says the home run ball by Matt Chapman was especially harmful.
The Pirates and Giants conclude the series today at PNC Park. Coming off six no-hit innings last week against the Cubs, Paul Skenes takes the ball for the Bucs today. The Giants have not announced their starter. Airtime is 12:10, first pitch at 12:35 on WCCS.
Catcher Yasmani Grandal left Tuesday’s game with groin discomfort and was unavailable last night, so the Pirates added veteran minor league catcher Grant Koch to the MLB taxi squad. Koch is not on the 40-man roster so if he is activated, there would have to be a player taken off, most likely by being designated for assignment. He’s a 2018 5th round draft choice by the Bucs. Shelton says the Pirates brought up Koch rather than Henry Davis because they didn’t want to interrupt his retooling of his swing mechanics at Indianapolis. Davis doubled in his only plate appearance for Indy last night. Jake Lamb, the veteran first baseman at Indy, had 4 hits and raised his batting average to .350.
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