Once again, the Pirates were out of the game before two innings had passed as the Washington Nationals crushed the Bucs last night.
The Nationals jumped on Bucs starter Trevor Williams and were up 8-0 after two innings as they cruised to a 13-0 win over the Pirates at PNC Park. Williams fell to 5-and-6.
The Pirates and Nats will face off again tonight at PNC Park, with another struggling pitcher, Chris Archer, on the mound for the Bucs. He hasn’t won a game since June 6th. He’s 3-and-9 with a 5.23 ERA on the season. The Nats will counter with Pirate-killer Stephen Strasburg. The right-hander is 15-and-5 on the season with a 3.82 ERA, but is 6-and-2 against the Bucs in his career.
If you’re already looking forward to a fresh start next season, the Pirates have announced that their first Spring Training game will be against the Twins on February 22nd, 2020. They’ll open the regular season March 26th against the Rays in St. Petersburg.
Pitcher Chad Kuhl has returned to Pittsburgh and will throw a bullpen session today at PNC Park. Kuhl had Tommy John surgery eleven months ago and has been rehabbing in Florida. He finally pitched from a mound last week, throwing two 25-pitch sessions.
Catcher Francisco Cervelli continues his injury rehab with Indianapolis. He was 1-for-2 last night in a 12-4 loss to Toledo.
