The Pirates began their road trip knowing they needed to put together a winning streak to stay in the hunt for a National League Wild Card slot. But they have stumbled out of the gate.
Joe Block has the story of a third straight loss to the Dodgers.
Manager Donnie Kelly says the Pirates had momentum coming off a good homestand, but they didn’t get the job done at the plate against the Dodgers.
Kelly says two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell knows what he’s doing on the mound.
First baseman Spencer Horwitz says getting swept in LA hurts.
Rookie pitcher Khristian Curtis started the season 0-7 with a 4.73 ERA for Altoona. But he was 3-1 at Indianapolis and yesterday threw three hitless, scoreless innings against the Dodgers in his second Major League appearance. He says it’s coming together for him on the mound.
The Pirates move just a little south of LA to try their luck in San Diego. Braxton Ashcraft (13-5, 3.68 ERA) pitches for the Pirates against Padres left-hander Robbie Ray (11-7, 3.20 ERA). Airtime is 9:15, first pitch at 9:40 on WCCS.
The Pirates are now eight-and-a-half games out of the third National League Wild Card spot, but on Pirates Insider on WCCS yesterday, general manager Ben Cherington said he believes they haven’t played their best baseball yet, and they can get back in the race.
Cherington hopes the return of Konnor Griffin and Ryan O’Hearn next month sets the Pirates off on a hot streak.
The GM says even bad teams have a long winning streak in the course of a season, and the Pirates haven’t had theirs yet.
Cherington says Konnor Griffin is on track to get back on the field for the Pirates, and can provide a big boost.
Griffin is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list on September 4th.
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