7-23-21 By Craig W. Toth (aka @BucsBasement)
Prior to the start of the season not many could have predicted that the San Francisco Giants would be a top the NL West beyond the All-Star Break; especially with the defending World Series Championship Dodgers and the young and exciting Slam Diego Padres to compete with. Yet, here we are.
Meanwhile, the rebuilding Pirates find themselves in the much anticipated cellar of the struggling NL Central, having just come off a series sweep at the hands of the worst team in all of Major League Baseball, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
So, of course the Pirates would come away with a 6 to 4 victory in the first of three at the majestic Oracle Park. However, it was even more surprising that the win was pretty much sealed by three walks and a botched fielding attempt on a soft grounder, with a little heads up hustle from Adam Frazier mixed in.
Managing only 4 hits on the night, the Pirates didn’t really deserve the win per se; nevertheless, in a season like this, I will enjoy every win they can get.
News and Notes
- #ExtendReynolds. With his horrendous 2020 erased from everyone’s memory, including his own, Bryan Reynolds has gone beyond returning to this 2019 ROY Campaign form. He’s added power, displayed increased patience at the plate and improved upon his already solid defense; making him the complete player that any teams would be happy to build around, and for now the Pirates are the one with the chance. And to be honest, I would be just plain foolish to let a guy go that not only hits for average, but also hits home runs like this.
- Chad Kuhl was solid though the first five frames; and truthfully I thought his day was done at that point, as Pirates pitchers don’t often find themselves working their way into the sixth. For Kuhl it may have been the best outcome to be on the receiving end of Shelton’s quick hook for once. In the end he went back out there, gave up a two-run bomb and finished the day with no as clean on a line. 5.1 IP, 8 K, 1 BB, and 3 ER on 6 H (2 HR), so still not terrible.
- God I wish Kevin Newman could hit. If even just a little bit better than he does now. Picture a player than that hits .250 to .275-if I am being generous-that provides you with 8 DRS and 8 OAA, which is good enough for fifth best for his position in all of MLB.
- “The Renegade” David Bednar, whose younger brother Will was introduced to Giants fans before the game, has put together a pretty impressive audition for future, or maybe even current, closer for the Pirates; allowing only one run in his last 15 appearances, while striking out 14.
- Gregory Polanco tripled in second to bring in Pittsburgh’s first run on the day and stole his 11th base (11 for 11 on the season) later on in the game. Another, wishing for better things, but having to face the reality of the situation.
Pittsburgh and San Francisco will face off again tonight in a 9:05 PM EST West Coast Almost To Late To Stay Up Because I Am Old Game.
For the Pirates Wil Crowe (1-5, 6.12 ERA) toes the rubber against Kevin Gausman (8-3, 1.84 ERA).
Inside The Bucs Basement 