Part 2 - the season is hanging by a thread, thread

[rucker59@gmail.com]

Here we go. As close to a must win as the Pirates have faced all season long. Lose this series to the Brewers and I think we can start to make plans for the offseason. Win, and tomorrow becomes the most important game - GOTTA win this series. .



This series was meant to get the Pirates to the REAL make or break games against St Louis. Win tonight and tomorrow and the next 3 against the Cardinals remain significant.



Pirates crush the Crew tonight!

[Bobster21]

1. Josh Harrison (R) 2B

2. Josh Bell (S) 1B

3. Andrew McCutchen (R) CF

4. Gregory Polanco (L) RF

5. Starling Marte (R) LF

6. David Freese (R) 3B

7. Francisco Cervelli (R) C

8. Jordy Mercer (R) SS

9. Ivan Nova (R) P

[rucker59@gmail.com]

Pirates manufacture a run in the 1st.



Nova through 2 looks good once again.



Cardinals lose in Cincy.

Mets are down 1-0 early.



Another huge opportunity.

[rucker59@gmail.com]

HUGE turn of events for the Pirates hanging onto a 1 run lead:



Marte plays a leadoff single by the Brewers into a triple with no outs. But the Brewers make the boneheaded play, breaking on a tapper back to the mound. Nova to Cervelli for the out at home. Now out of the inning still leading 1-0.



Still just 3 hits for the Pirates in the 5th.

[dmetz]

Root sports is missing a good game.   Stop these lousy interviews about the 1971 team AGAIN and turn your attention to the 2016 team



2-1 crew now.   Wouldnt know it because they're interviewing the wives of the 71' team now. ::)

[SteadyFreddy]

The way the offense is swinging the bats tonight that homerun by Carter might be the difference. This team is absolutely maddening to watch at times.

[Bobster21]

624554505548774354555548310 wrote: The way the offense is swinging the bats tonight that homerun by Carter might be the difference. This team is absolutely maddening to watch at times.
The 1971 Bucs had Clemente and Stargell and both were leaders and outstanding players who their teammates didn't want to let down. They inspired their teammates to play better because no one wanted to let those guys down. The 2016 Bucs don't have any players like that. In previous years, Cutch filled that role but he's struggled so bad this year that he can't lead by example. This team is like a rudderless ship. They have some good players but everyone seems to be doing his own thing and there is no cohesiveness. They never gel together. They lose as often as they win because a win never means they are on a roll. A win is just 1 out of 2 games they didn't lose. Seems like they need an attitude adjustment for next year. Maybe they need a fiery clubhouse leader type who can keep them all focused on winning not just today but tomorrow too.

[rucker59@gmail.com]

With Marte on 2nd and no outs Freese fails to advance Marte. Now 1 out. This is the kind of small failure that the Pirates make over and over. With Cervelli now on 1st due to walk, I fully expect Mercer to hit into a DP

[UtahPirate]

101701090710575B22050F030B0E4C010D0F620 wrote: With Marte on 2nd and no outs Freese fails to advance Marte.  Now 1 out.  This is the kind of small failure that the Pirates make over and over.  With Cervelli now on 1st due to walk, I fully expect Mercer to hit into a DP


You were very close to that prognostication...



Watching Cervelli bat I was just thinking how empty his season has been. He had 20 RBIs on May 17 and has 8 since then. I hate seeing him come up with runners.

[rucker59@gmail.com]

CUTCH!



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