RECAP - Padres - 3 / Pirates - 2

Would the person responsible for the
Loss, Please Raise their Hand...

Pittsburgh Pirates - 2
San Diego Padres - 3

WP - Thayer
LP - Melancon
S - Street (31)

When it rains, it pours.  I'm not sure who coined that phrase but it certainly is the truth when it comes to the Pittsburgh Pirates.  After taking 3 of 4 from the lowly Chicago Cubs, the San Diego Padres came to PNC Park and have taken 3 in a row from the Buccos.  A loss is a loss, thats what Clint Hurdle woudl tell you, but this loss was more than just a loss.  This loss was a loss that will literally rip your heart out of your chest like in Indiana Jones "Temple of Doom" and crush it.  If you didn't watch (or listen like me) to the game, then you are better off.  I could sum it up in one sentence.  Cutch gives the Pirates a 2-1 lead and Melancon blows the save in the 9th giving up 2 runs.  There was much more to this game than that sentence, but the loss still makes me sick, even the next day. 

For an offense as challenged as the Pittsburgh Pirates (I almost typed Pittsburgh Steelers there...well their offense is challenged too) runs come at a premium.  The Padres scored the lone run off of Charlie Morton, and it looked like the Pirates were going to let another great starting pitching outing get ruined by their lack of offense.  Going to the bottom of the 7th, when things looked bleak, Andrew McCutchen sent a 404ft HR over the right center wall for a 2 run home run and to give the Pirates the lead.  Charlie Morton pitched a phenomenal game and deserved to get the win after his evening on the hill.  Look at this stat line: 8 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 earned run, 3 walks, and tied a career high with 9 strikeouts.  That right there is a gem pitching performance.  I would guess that Charlie Morton had a few choice words for Mr. Mark Melancon in the clubhouse after the game.  I had written a few weeks ago that I felt that Melancon was allowing too many batters to reach base in the closer role.  Melancon gave up a single to start the top of the 9th, then retired the next two batters.  After getting out #2 Melancon allowed a 2 out single putting runners on 1st and 2nd.  All isn't lost, just get this ONE out.  2 hits later the Padres not only tied up the game, but took the lead.  In a half inning of work Melancon gave up twice as many hits as Morton did through 8 innings.

Look, I get that blown saves are bound to happen, but not in this situation.  Twitter was a buzz with people claiming that Hurdle should have let Charlie Morton finish the game.  First, hindsight is always 20/20.  If Melancon closes the door like he should have...its not even discussed.  I felt the same way regarding Liriano when he had a no hitter going into the 7th against the Cubs.  I am more concerned about the pitchers health than individual honors.  Hurdle did was any modern day MLB manager would have done...turned to his closer.  This loss isn't all on Melancon though, the majority of this loss is on an offense that can't produce and hasn't produced this entire series.  Some decisions made by Clint Hurdle still strike me as strange.  For instance, why insert Starling Marte as an everyday player when hes been on the DL for so long?  Marte went 0-4 last night, and 1-3 the previous night (the lone single was an IF bunt).  Jose Tabata has not played poorly, and should get the start today, in my opinion.  As for why Clint Barmes and his .217 batting average is in the lineup is beyond me.  Some say for "defensive purposes", but Jordy Mercer is a capable SS and has proven that this season...oh yeah, and he is also hitting over .250.  Pedro Alvarez...well I won't even get started with that guy, but lets just say he isn't on my "nice list".  The Pirates have a chance to salvage SOME respect today with a 12:35 start to cap the 4 game set with the Padres before the Reds come to PNC for the final 3 games of the regular season.  Please Lord, don't let me hurt someone or some thing if these Pirates don't turn this thing around soon...