RECAP - Brewers - 7 / Pirates - 6

Struggling is an Understatement w/ Jeff Locke

Pittsburgh Pirates - 6
Milwaukee Brewers - 7

WP - Wooten
LP - Morris
S - Henderson

The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to frustrate in a lot of different ways.  Whether its the inability to drive in a runner in scoring position, the inability for starting pitchers to get to the 6th inning anymore, or the Pirates simply playing mediocre baseball since the All-Star Break.  Lets be honest, there are more frustrating aspects of this team that I am not listing.  Last night's game at PNC Park vs the Brewers was just another game that had my blood boiling and wanting to rip my hair out while I listened to the game.

Jeff Locke is making me look like a fool since I tabbed him as "my favorite starter on the Pirates' staff".  People will say "His back isn't right..." or "He has lost his confidence..." well I'm here to say I don't care what it is...if he continues to pitch like this he shouldn't be throwing a baseball at all.  If he is hurt, he shouldn't be starting.  If he has lost his confidence, skip a start and let him get his mind right.  Clint Hurdle stated that he "thinks they've found something with his mechanics thats a little off..."  Well then...why don't you fix the problem before he marches out on the mound and fails to even reach the 6th inning again.  Frustrating doesn't even begin to describe how I feel when I watch Jeff Locke pitch anymore.  Locke's stat line after his most recent debacle: 4 2/3 innings, 8 hits, 5 Earned Runs, 2 walks, and 4 Ks.  THAT is simply unacceptable.

The offense was completely silent last night, until the 5th inning when the Buccos put up 4 runs after Neil Walker rocked a 3 run HR over the Clemente wall.  The offense was good, but do I need to remind everyone why the Pirates found themselves in such a situation?  Poor hitting with RISP.  Last night there was a perfect scenario.  Runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out.  Garrett Jones at the plate.  The game is tied.  All the Buccos need is a sacrifice fly and this team is in the lead for the first time.  What was the result?  Pop up that doesn't score a run.  Its scenarios like this that good teams drive in runs.  The St. Louis Cardinals don't squanders many of those opportunities, but the Pirates make it a regular occurrence.

Some fans say "Help is on the way!" referring to the Pirates trading for Marlon Byrd from the Mets, but is one player really going to make that big of a difference?  Immediately?  NO...for one reason...Starling Marte is on the DL.  When Marte returns, and you have Marte, McCutchen, and Byrd in the outfield...you have yourself a pretty stellar OF unit both offensively and defensively.  Tabata has proven to be a liability in the field, and an inconsistent hitter on top of that.  Don't get me wrong, the additions of Buck and Byrd will help this Pirates team, but no bats will help this team if the starting pitching doesn't "right the ship".  I can see the Pirates taking the next 2 games at home...setting the stage for another big series vs the Cardinals...call it a hunch.