We’re down to 12 games left.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are currently tied for second worst record with the Oakland Athletics.
Trying to find any positive at this point is like trying to put lipstick on a pig. Especially when your team returns home from a six game road trip of getting shellacked, only to lose their seventh game in a row.
Mitch Keller is one of the few positives though. He completed six innings and allowed two earned runs. That’s the fifth start in a row that he’s finished at least six innings. Keller has given up only seven earned runs in those five starts covering 31.0 IP. Against the Cubs he allowed four hits, two walks, while striking out seven. His 4-seam fastball led the way accounting for 30 of his 96 pitches. Keller was able to finally push his ERA below 4.00 and end the night with a 3.99 ERA.
David Bednar made his long awaited return in the seventh inning, allowing one earned run to go along with two hits, a walk, and a strike out. That run made it 3-1 at the time which unfortunately left Keller with the loss before the Pirates could score their second run.
Chicago Cubs deadline acquisition, rookie Hayden Wesneski, had his way with the Pirates offense of everyone not named Bryan Reynolds. Wesneski tossed 6.1 innings with two earned runs, five hits, two walks and six strikeouts.
Reynolds got the Pirates on the board in the third inning with a RBI single. He finished the night going 3-for-3 with two doubles, a RBI, and two walks.
The Pirates second run came in the seventh when Kevin Newman lead off the inning with his 2nd HR of the season to bring the Pirates within one run at 3-2.
Duane Underwood Jr. and Robert Stephenson pitched the final two innings allowing only one hit between the two of them with three strike outs.
In the bottom of the ninth the Pirates managed to get runners on second and third with two outs, but Rodolfo Castro lined out to end the game at 3-2.
Cubs @ Pirates
Time: 6:35 PM EST
Pirates Starter: Bryse Wilson (3-9, 6.07)
Cubs Starter: Javier Assad (1-2, 3.86)
Wilson Notes: With two outs on Friday, Bryse Wilson will eclipse 100.0 IP for the first time in his career at the top level. He’s been good for covering innings, but gives up a lot of contact that usually leaves the Pirates behind early in the game.
UPDATES: Bae joins the team, Heineman to the IL
LINEUPS:
Pirates
Friday night in the Burgh.#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/1LQZpJQDcL
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 23, 2022
Cubs
Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup at PNC Park. pic.twitter.com/Bj4EY4BgPw
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 23, 2022
