COMON Network

By COMON Network Team

Final Score – Detroit Tigers (8-5) 2, Pittsburgh Pirates (3-13) 1

WP: Spencer Turnbull (2-0) – 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 4 K

LP: Richard Rodriguez (0-1) – 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R/ER, 3 K

SV: Joe Jimenez (5) – 1 IP, 2 K

The Pirates failed to salvage a game from the Detroit Tigers in a weekend series at PNC Park, dropping a tight 2-1 contest Sunday afternoon.

The Bucs drew first blood in the bottom of the fourth. Eric Gonzalez continued his excellent series, driving in Colin Moran with a two-out single. The lead wouldn’t last long, however.

In the next half inning, Detroit’s Austin Romine tied the game by singling home Victor Reyes. It would stay tied at one until the top of the eighth, when Miguel Cabrera’s 1,702th RBI gave the Tigers the lead and, ultimately, was the difference in the game.

It is unclear when the Pirates will be playing next, as they are scheduled to go to St. Louis this week. The Cardinals haven’t play since July 29 do to the team’s COVID-19 outbreak.

COMON Network Team Commentary

JOE SMELTZER

• What was that?: Since it wasn’t the result of any injury I think it’s ok to laugh at Richard Rodriguez nearly tossing a pitch into the first base dugout.
• Steady Stratton: Chris Stratton has been a fairly steady hand for the Pirates since the team signed him last spring, at least relative to his peers. Today might have been his most impressive performance in Pittsburgh thus far, striking out six over three innings, albeit allowing a run. Because they stink and because the piggy back system doesn’t appear to be going away, Stratton will be relied upon in middle relief quite often this season. So far, he’s been doing his job well.
• The worst team in baseball: Before this weekend, I wasn’t sure if it would happen. Oh, I knew these Pirates were bad, and figured they’d be a good bet to lose 100+ games in a normal campaign. But with the Tigers losing 114 last season and two others teams losing more than 100, I thought there may be some crap in Major League Baseball that smelled worse. This series changed my mind. Not only did the Pirates get swept by an improved, but still lousy Tigers team, they lost three games in three different ways. The lost in a shootout Friday night, got blown out Saturday and capped it off by losing a low-scoring affair today. At least this team keeps us on our toes, finding new ways to suck on almost a daily basis. Right now, I’m officially predicting that the Pirates finish 2020 with the worst record in baseball. These guys play hard on most days, but the talent level is so pathetic that sinking to the bottom might be the most reasonable expectation for what lay ahead.

Player of the Game – Spencer Turnbull (DET)

RYAN SIMPSON

• I have accepted that we are among the worst teams in the MLB. With the amount of injuries to this pitching staff, today they were actually pretty great. Stratton went three innings with six punchies while only allowing one run. Watching him throw, you can tell that Stratton was a starter at one point in his career as he looked very relaxed and collected during his work today. Hartlieb and Turley combined for two innings and zero hits which is VERY rare for this bullpen. Rich Rod got bested by Miggy in the top of the eighth, but if it was going to be anyone, I’m glad it was Miggy. There were no late inning heroics this time for Pittsburgh, as the record now sits at 3-13. Please just get to 15 wins.

Player of the Game – Miguel Cabrera (DET)