Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers have given up seven or more runs in each of the last four games causing the Pirates to be on this current four game losing streak. The home run ball has been a big part of the problem and big innings are causing the Pirates to drop key games.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are currently on a four game losing streak as they dropped the last three games against the Detroit Tigers and the first game against the Milawukee Brewers. Pirates pitchers have given up seven or more runs in each game and the offense has not been able to score enough runs to compensate for the runs given up by the pitchers.
The blame in the last four games has been a combined effort between both the bullpen and the starting pitching. The two bad starts of the week came from Jeff Locke last night and Juan Nicasio on Tuesday afternoon. In each start the starter went less than 5.0 innings and gave up three and four runs respectively.
Both of these pitchers had major control issues in their starts as Nicasio walked five and Locke walked seven. The Pirates have one of the best defenses in all of major league baseball. However, when pitchers are walking a lot of batters, those defenders are not getting the chance to make the outs that are necessary in the game. Both Nicasio and Locke had very good starts their first time out and in those games they limited the number of walks they gave up. If they can work on their control it could mean a much better Pirates team.
The bullpen has had its struggles as well over the last couple games and it has not helped this team out at all. No matter who the Pirates would call into the game, it seemed like all they could do is give up runs. Kyle Lobstein has pitched in two of the last four games throwing 5.0 innings giving up five runs. Similarly, Arquiemeds Caminero has struggled as well giving up four runs in 1.2 innings pitched in the last four games.
The main problem the bullpen pitchers have been facing is the home run ball. The bullpen has combined to give up five home runs in the last four games. This was a similar problem that the Pirates faced in spring training. They gave up a mass number of home runs and it lead to some losses that could have been avoided if it were not for the home run ball.
In last nights game alone, The Pirates gave up a two home runs to the Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers. In both instances there were two outs and a runner on base and the pitch just happened to be left over the middle of the plate. If the pitchers could have just got the ball on the corner, we are talking about a whole new ball game.
Even though the Pirates are currently in a skid, there are some good things that have come out of this. Ryan Vogelsong had a very good spot start on Wednesday night for Francisco Liriano going 5.0 innings giving up one run on four hits while striking out five. Vogelsong started the year off in the bullpen and was able to step up in a big spot.
The Pirates will be able to climb out of this rough spot and will be fine moving forward. This rough spot will be a spring board for many good things to come as the season moves forward. All five of the Pirates starters have shown the ability to have success at the major league level. It is just a matter of putting it all together consistently and keeping the Pirates in ball games.
Jon Niese (1-0 5.73) will look to right the ship tonight as the Pirates take on the Brewers for game two of a three game series tonight at PNC Park. He will be opposed on the mound by Brewer's righty Taylor Jungman (0-1 11.57). First pitch for tonight's game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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