When a losing streak reaches 10 games, it’s hard to narrow down to just one area of struggle, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are no different.
We’ve seen poor pitching and an offense struggle to get things going. As the injuries mounted with the pitching staff, players who got off to great starts have begun to regress, leaving the Pirates to slip to six games under .500 and 5.5 games away from first place Cincinnati.
What is even more unfortunate is that the offense finally put some things together on Thursday, only to have the bullpen let a late lead slip away.
Over the last 10 games the Pirates offense has mustered up just 24 runs, including getting shutout three times.
The table below is how each player has performed over the past week. Now with the best player out with an injury, there isn’t too much hope for the immediate future.
| Player | H-AB | OPS |
| Connor Joe | 4-for-21 | .530 |
| Carlos Santana | 6-for-27 | .657 |
| Rodolfo Castro | 2-for-20 | .243 |
| Jack Suwinski | 0-for-18 | .182 |
| Tucupita Marcano | 3-for-19 | .438 |
| Jason Delay | 2-for-10 | .400 |
| Ji-Hwan Bae | 1-for-20 | .258 |
| Austin Hedges | 1-for-15 | .234 |
| Josh Palacios | 4-for-19 | .527 |
| Bryan Reynolds | 7-for-26 | .807 |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes | 7-for-25 | .740 |
| Andrew McCutchen | 5-for-22 | .778 |
The Pirates need a spark. Oneil Cruz, while out of the walking boot, still could be out for some time, so they are going to need to look elsewhere.
McCutchen has been perhaps the team’s most consistent producer all season, with Hayes also looking like things are clicking for him a bit.
They’ll need more, including some sort of consistent play from Suwinski, who is in the midst of yet another long hitless streak which hit rock bottom Thursday — going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.
Maybe this team wasn’t built to compete for the division like it appeared at the beginning of the season, and injuries have been pretty brutal to the pitching staff. But this team also wasn’t built with another last place finish in mind.
Prospect Notes
— The Pirates promoted Tsung-Che Cheng to Double-A Altoona on Thursday, yet another in a string of moves this past week or so within the system. Cheng has really emerged, putting up some amazing numbers in Greensboro, and will get a chance to show how much the power numbers will translate to the upper levels.
Even if it doesn’t he’s shown the ability to use his speed to create an extra-base on ball hit to the gaps.
Cheng moving up does leave the Greensboro an infielder short, with Bradenton also a bit light when it comes to their bench. It could be a sign of more to come, as even reaching down further, Yordany De Los Santos continues to hit the ball very well in the FCL.
A move when it comes to the hitters during the middle of the week isn’t often the case, as sometimes it’s easier to just move players around during the off day that is Monday. So, either something else is going to happen that they couldn’t wait for, or, they were that excited to get Cheng moved to Double-A.
— Liover Peguero picked up another double (19), along with a pair of stolen bases (17) on Thursday, and will now form perhaps the most formidable double play duos in the Eastern League. Both are among the Top 15 prospects in the Pirates system according to Baseball America.
Daily Video Rundown
First big league cannonball for Henry Davis!
Former first overall pick Henry Davis picks up his first career home run on Thursday.
All Miggy does is hit. @MAndujarPapa's 19 doubles this season are now tied for the fourth-most in the International League.
Miguel Andujar has been on an absolute tear as of late, and is among the International League leaders in doubles.
An RBI-knock from @abragutierr7 gets us going in the sixth inning! pic.twitter.com/crSQv52drz
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) June 22, 2023
Abrahan Gutierrez with a RBI base hit for the Altoona Curve.
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
By Tim Williams
The Pirates looked like they were going to snap their losing streak, but had trouble with a shortened bullpen in the eighth inning. Check out Pirates Prospects Live for the game recaps throughout the entire system, plus the daily discussion.
**P2Live: Keller Has Outstanding Start, Davis Hits First Dinger, But Pirates Still Lose
Our latest Prospect Watch looks at Braxton Ashcraft’s recent debut in Altoona. It also looks at Jase Bowen, who homered for his third night in a row last night.
**Prospect Watch: Braxton Ashcraft, Jase Bowen, Maikol Escotto
The Pirates placed Bryan Reynolds on the 10-day injured list. Down in the minors, they promoted Tsung-Che Cheng to Altoona.
**Pirates Place Bryan Reynolds on 10-Day Injured List; Promote Tsung-Che Cheng to Altoona
Wilbur Miller profiled some Bradenton Marauders hitters who are making progress this year.
**Young Bradenton Hitters Making Progress
Missed yesterday? Anthony looked at the continued power from Liover Peguero.
**Pirates Prospects Daily: Power Continues To Come Through For Liover Peguero
SONG OF THE DAY
I feel like a sad Miami song is more appropriate for this team right now.
