6/18/23- By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter
A common thing happened today as the Pirates lost again, by a score of 5-2, their 6th straight and 2nd consecutive series being swept. A rare thing will happen tomorrow, however, as the Pirates 2021 first overall pick, Henry Davis, is expected to make his major league debut when the Bucs return home to take on the Cubs. Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette was first with the news.
Now, back to the game. Offense was poor once again as the Pirates mustered just 4 hits over the day. One of those was a big blast as Bryan Reynolds took a full count fastball and sent it 410 feet to right field. This gave the Pirates a 2-0 lead in the third inning.
Unfortunately, the Bucs bats fell asleep outside of this as the Brewers came back to life. Christian Yelich hit a 1 out double in the 5th and scored on a Jesse Winker single to left, cutting the score to 2-1. Pirates starter Luis Ortiz lasted 4.2 innings, allowing just 1 run off 4 hits with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts. He was pulled with a man on in the 5th after only throwing 84 pitches, an odd move by Shelton to pivot to the struggling bullpen when his starter was doing well.
Carmen Mlodzinski relieved him, getting the final out in the 5th and throwing a 1-2-3 sixth inning. Angel Perdomo had a shutdown 7th inning but walked the first batter in the 8th and was lifted for Dauri Moreta, who walked the next batter and then got a routine fly out to right before a William Contreras single to right drove in the tying run. Right fielder Jack Suwinski had a chance to make the out but his throw was too far up the third base line. After another walk, Moreta was lifted for David Bednar, whose first pitch to Raimel Tapia almost ended up over the fence.
Luis Urias would follow with a 2-run single to left but Pirates were able to get him out trying to stretch for a double. Brewers turned to closer Devin Williams who shutdown the Bucs in order to clinch a series sweep for the Brew Crew.
Milwaukee starter Freddy Peralta went 6 innings, 2 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks and struck out 9 Pirates. Including Williams, the Brewers bullpen covered 3 innings, allowed just 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks and struck out 2. Comparing this to the Pirates pen – 4 innings, 2 hits, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts and 4 runs allowed – is not great as their relief issues continue snowballing.
News & Notes
- Carlos Santana hit his 350th career double in the 2nd inning of today’s game.
- The Reynolds home run was his first since May 26 in Seattle.
- Henry Davis is currently listed as the Pirates #3 overall prospect on MLB.com and #44 overall prospect. He will be the first #1 overall pick to join the Pirates since Gerrit Cole made his debut on June 11, 2013.
- He also has the fewest ABs of any #1 overall pick to reach MLB in 45 years.
- While there is no word of the corresponding move for Davis, it has been disclosed that both Hedges and Delay will remain on the team.
- The Pirates head home tomorrow to host the Chicago Cubs. Scheduled starters are LHP Drew Smyly against RHP Oswaldo Bido. Game starts at 7:05PM. Lets Go Bucs!
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