Offense Continues To Struggle As Pittsburgh Pirates Can’t Complete Rally Against Cubs
By Matt Gajtka
Apr 3, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher John Baker (left) chases and tags Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) after dropped ball on a swinging third strike during the sixth inning at PNC Park. The Cubs won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Despite grinding out two wins to start the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates were suffering from a serious offensive drought.
Entering Thursday afternoon’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs, Pirates hitters had produced just five hits in 82 at-bats, with only one going for extra bases.
That trend continued in a PNC Park matinee, as the Bucs couldn’t rally from an early three-run deficit in a 3-2 loss to Chicago.
The specter of rain loomed all game long, but it never came down hard enough to delay the action. Maybe the Pirates (2-1) wished it had, because Tony Sanchez‘ two-run single in the seventh provided all the offense they would get in their first loss of 2014.
Sanchez also delivered the winning hit in Wednesday night’s 16-inning marathon, although his teammates couldn’t support him in this one. The Pirates got their leadoff hitters on in eighth and ninth innings, but botched bunts squelched promising opportunities.
Pirates starter Wandy Rodriguez made his first MLB appearance in nearly a year, going six innings and allowing three runs. The veteran lefty improved as the game went on, striking out five to counteract five Chicago hits. Mike Olt‘s solo homer in the second was the biggest blow against Rodriguez.
Cubs righty Jason Hammel was on a level all his own, limiting the Pirates to two hits and one run while pitching into the seventh. He walked Neil Walker with two outs in the frame, leading Chicago to turn to reliever James Russell, who allowed Gaby Sanchez‘ double to advance Walker to third.
Tony Sanchez cashed both runners in with a bouncer up the middle, but Jordy Mercer flied out to end the threat. The younger Sanchez came up once more in the ninth with Walker on first and one out, lining back to pitcher Pedro Strop for an unfortunate game-ending double play.
The Pirates will now anticipate a weekend series against the Cardinals at PNC Park, with Gerrit Cole getting the start against Shelby Miller on Friday night. St. Louis eliminated Pittsburgh in last year’s National League Division Series.