Pirates fall to Nationals, drop to 8-30 since All-Star Break
The Pittsburgh Pirates have lost six games in a row when Steven Brault is their starting pitcher, including a 7-1 decision Thursday night at PNC Park to the Washington Nationals.
You would think Brault is to blame.
You would be wrong.
Brault solidified his status as the Pirates’ best starting pitcher over the second half of the season, retiring 18 of the 23 batters he faced after the Nationals grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
It came only five days after Brault held the Chicago Cubs to two hits and one run over seven innings in a 2-0 loss.
“Another big building block for him,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “A really good outing against a very, very good lineup.”
Brault got no support from Pirates hitters, who managed to score only on Adam Frazier’s home run in the third inning in front of a crowd of 10,587.
The numbers are telling.
• The Pirates have scored 14 runs in the past eight games.
• They have lost 30 of 38 since the All-Star break, 75 overall.
• In five of the past six games, they have scored one or zero runs.
• Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer, who was making his first start since coming off the injured list with a back strain, couldn’t go more than four innings. But three relief pitchers held the Pirates to three singles over the final five innings.
“There were a couple innings where one more hit would have put more pressure on them,” Hurdle said. “We’re not getting the big hit when we need it.”
Nationals left fielder Juan Soto handed the Pirates a gift double in the second inning when he appeared to lose Colin Moran’s sinking line drive in the lights. Melky Cabrera followed with a single that failed to score Moran, but Kevin Newman and Elias Diaz couldn’t get the desperately needed clutch hit and the inning ended.
Hurdle liked the home run by Frazier, his seventh, and he’ll gladly accept the gift from Soto. “Other than that,” he said, “just some singles.”
While the hitters are not offering any hope for next season, Brault’s efforts have been encouraging.
In his past six starts, he has compiled an ERA of 3.13, but the Pirates have lost them all. His performance Thursday was as much cerebral as it was physical.
After the Nationals scored two runs in a space of the first three batters to open the game – two doubles and an infield single – Brault changed his strategy and was dominant.
“Diaz and I realized these guys obviously look at scouting reports and what’s happened before,” Brault said. “They were swinging at fastballs early and I was throwing it over the plate so they were able to hit it.
“So, I made an adjustment quickly, going to more off-speed pitches. We were still attacking hitters. We were just doing it in a different way.
“It’s just about the ebb and flow of the game. That’s why I love starting so much. You have to be able to make adjustments throughout the game.”
Brault said a mound visit from pitching coach Ray Searage in the second inning also helped. The Nationals had the bases loaded and two out, with Anthony Rendon (27 home runs, 100 RBIs) at the plate.
Brault called it “a loosening moment.”
“It wasn’t, `Hey, we need to get this guy.’ It was, `Hey, heater up and in and let’s see what happens.’ ”
Rendon popped out to catcher Diaz to end the inning.
The Pirates were within striking distance in the eighth inning, trailing, 2-1. But Hurdle’s relief plan fell apart.
He wanted to go with relievers Richard Rodriguez, Keone Kela and Felipe Vazquez. But Hurdle said Kela got “violently sick” in the bullpen near the end of the game.
Hurdle turned to Chris Stratton, who gave up five runs, seven hits (two homers) and walked two batters in two innings.
“I just didn’t have it today,” Stratton said. “I put us in a bad position and I ended up having to wear it.”
Said Hurdle: “We are definitely paying the price for missed execution off the mound.”
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Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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