The Pirates were looking good as they sought a sweep over the Cubs for the first time since 2019, but for the second straight day the bullpen and defense failed them, and this time, they couldn’t recover.
Joe Block has the story.
Manager Donnie Kelly was upbeat, despite watching the Pirates trip over their fundamentals.
Kelly says the Pirates started hot, but when you’re playing in Wrigley with the wind blowing out, you can’t let up.
One criticism directed at the Pirates so far this season has been that they’re pulling pitchers too early. They’re the only team that hasn’t yet had a starter throw 90 pitches in a game. Yesterday on Pirates Insider on WCCS, General Manager Ben Cherington said a variety of factors go into that decision, but one of them is that they don’t want batters to get too comfortable against the starters.
Oneil Cruz was 6-for-11 at the plate for the Pirates in the three games in Chicago and is hitting .339 with five home runs. Cherington said he noticed a difference in Cruz on the first day of spring training.
After their three-game road trip to Chicago, the Pirates return to PNC Park for a seven-game homestand, starting with the Washington Nationals tonight. Paul Skenes [2-1, 5.25 ERA] throws for the Pirates against the Nats’ Cade Cavalli [0-0, 2.51 ERA]. Airtime is 6:15, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 on WCCS.
PHIL GARNER
Phil Garner played 16 Major League seasons for five teams, but Pirates fans will always claim him as a Bucco for the four seasons he played in Pittsburgh, including the 1979 World Series championship team. Garner died Saturday at the age of 76 after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. For the ’79 Bucs, “Scrap Iron” hit .293 with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs. He batted .417 in the National League championship series win over the Reds and .500 (12-24) in the World Series win over the Orioles.
Garner was traded to the Astros in 1981 for second baseman Johnny Ray. After his playing career, he managed the Brewers, Tigers, and Astros, winning the National League pennant in 2005.
Garner came to the Pirates during spring training, 1977, as part of a nine-player trade in which the Bucs also acquired utility infielder Tommy Helms and pitcher Chris Batton, who never played for them. The Pirates gave up some past and future stars in the trade, including outfielders Mitchell Page and Tony Armas and pitchers Dave Giusti, Doc Medich, Doug Bair, Rick Langford.
ALTOONA
Altoona set a franchise record by losing their ninth straight game to start the season, getting only two hits, both by Javier Rivas, in a 2-1 loss to Richmond.
The Curve return home looking for their first win of the season tomorrow night against Portland.
