The Pirates had issues with home plate umpire Roberto Ortiz’s strike zone all afternoon long and in the crucial 9th inning, that disagreement left Ke’Bryan Hayes standing at home plate, striking out looking with the bases loaded. Joe Block has the story.
The Pirates struck out thirteen times in the game, four of them looking, and they stranded eleven runners on base while going 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
The Bucs go on the road tonight for an NL Central Division game against the Brewers. Right-hander Mitch Keller [9-7, 3.97 ERA] pitches for the Pirates against Milwaukee’s Adrian Hauser [3-3, 4.43 ERA]. Keller went 0-for-July, with an 0-4 record and a 6.28 ERA. He took the loss last Friday in a 2-1 defeat by the Phillies. 6:50 airtime, 7:15 first pitch on WCCS.
Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk says infielder Tucupita Marcano has a torn ACL in his right knee and will have surgery in the coming weeks, after the swelling goes down.
Shortstop Oneil Cruz is progressing but has a long way to go before he can begin playing again. Tomczyk says Cruz will be with the team in Milwaukee continuing his rehab on his fractured ankle. Pitcher Max Kranick has thrown several simulated games but still has not pitched in an actual game as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery.
ALTOONA CURVE
Anthony Solometo allowed three runs in five innings and the Curve could only scrape together four hits in a 7-0 loss to Richmond.
Sean Sullivan pitches for the Curve in game three of the series tonight.
