7-4-21 – By Gary Morgan
It’s been a tough season to be a Pirates fan, especially if you aren’t a fan that wants to worry about anything other than the MLB squad, but there have been bright spots. One of them, the freshly minted NL All Star Bryan Reynolds. Saying it was well deserved is an understatement probably, but let’s just say, not many teams with a record over 20 games under .500 are going to get a starter plus another player to the game, but that’s exactly where we are.
Another of those bright spots has been Tyler Anderson, now he hasn’t laid down an All Star worthy performance, but he’s been consistent and he’s also done exactly what the Pirates hoped he would. Provided innings, steadiness and arguably more important than anything else, trade value.
Today, Anderson would provide another service for a team badly in need, stopper. 7 strong innings of 3 hit ball followed by Bednar and Rodriguez for a badly needed shutout and a 2-0 victory.
Kevin Newman got the party started today.
Wilmer Difo knocked in the other run today, but arguably his biggest contribution came in the field.
For once, there just isn’t anything bad to report, from this game anyway.
Back at it tomorrow as the Braves come to town and send Max Fried to the mound to face Chase De Jong.
News & Notes
- The Brewers acquired Kevin Kramer from the Pirates today for Left Hander Nathen Kirby, a AA pitcher who’s 27 years old and in 17 games this season has a 1.93 ERA and a 1.339 WHIP. Not one of the trades most of us have been thinking about but these types of moves will be needed too if for nothing else but clearing up space. I’d fully expect to see Rodolfo Castro or someone called up from AA soon.
- Ben Cherington announced today that Roansy Contreras and Oneil Cruz are “a little bit sore” and will both be in Pittsburgh next week. Here’s hoping this isn’t anything major. The soreness is in their right forearms.
- Baseball is my favorite sport. When I see the dream fully come together for players like Adam Frazier and Bryan Reynolds I of course get excited for both of them. What I think about most is how rare the combination of skill and dedication come together and add up to what they’ve both become. A hearty congratulations from everyone here at Inside the Bucs Basement.
- Happy Independence Day! Our country isn’t perfect, but we sure do try. Celebrate safely my friends
Inside The Bucs Basement 