Pirates Drop 5-4 Decision to Reds - Fall Behind Further in NL Central Race

After Andrew McCutchen was plunked by a 101mph fastball, everyone was talking about whether the Pirates pitching staff will be head hunting on Saturday night.  The answer, no.  Josh Harrison got hit, both benches were warned, and the Pirates' skipper, Clint Hurdle, was ejected shortly after.  Besides that, there was a ton of enthusiasm in the ball park last night as you could feel the electricity through the television set.  All that electricity, all that anticipation, and all that anxiety has lead to the Pirates dropping the first 2 games of the 3 game series. 

Unlike in game one, the Pirates got their long ball going again with 2 HRs (Michael McKenry and Josh Harrison both went yard), but it wasn't enough to get the job done.  I will say that James McDonald had a better outing (not great, but better), but he still gave up some crucial hits in crucial situations.  He gave up a big 2 run single to Scott Rolen of the Reds in the bottom of the first that gave the Reds a 2-0 lead.  The Pirates battled back to tie it up at 2, and then rallied to tie the game up later at 4, until Rolen led off the bottom of the 8th with a triple off of reliever Jared Hughes.  A groundball out gave the Reds to 5-4 lead and that was all she wrote.

The Pirates continue to struggle with runners in scoring position, and frankly, were given a few gifts last night.  Perfect example - Pedro "swing and miss" Alvarez strikes out but with a wild pitch he gets first base and the runner on second advances to third.  Believe it or not, but the Pirates had their runners advance via wild pitch on 2 occasions.  I must say that these opportunities are rare, and the Buccos should be happy they were getting those breaks.  Nonetheless, you can't expect those bounces every game.  This team needs to improve on moving players over, not reaching for an outside pitch that will lead to a routine double play.  Clint Hurdle still makes some questionable moves as McKenry goes 2-4 with a HR last night and is sitting in the day game today.  I give him credit for taking Alvarez out of the lineup and inserting Josh Harrison.  It was time Pedro got a break from all those swings without hitting a ball.

Will the Buccos win tonight?  I learned not to make bold predictions after thinking they'd take the next two games, but this is as big of a game you can get in the month of August...lets hope the Jolly Roger gets raised at least once this series!