Game 116: Dodgers 11 Pirates 0
This game started out as a pretty typical-seeming "when you're down you never get the breaks" kind of game. The Pirates hit the ball hard and had it go right at people, while on the flip side of things balls bounced out of gloves and umpires made weird calls. Things weren't quite out of control, but they were clearly not going in a good direction for the Pirates. Finally, they unraveled and the wheels came off of Chad Qualls and the Pirates lost 11-0.
This is loss five of six, this is a loss that puts the Pirates six games behind the Reds and puts the Dodgers in position to take the wild card lead from the Pirates tomorrow. Clayton Kershaw is waiting to take the ball tomorrow. This is not good at all.
What was the crap being told how the Pirates 2nd half schedule was going to be one of the easiest in NL? They haven't played really well since before the AS break in my opinion. What is the real deal with James Mac? Injured? Lousy mechanics, head case? It's certainly not bad luck!
I've said it too many times but they should not have dealt Jeff Lincoln.
The bullpen has been scary but effective all year. Almost no 1-2-3 innings but almost no blown saves. Now they seem to have toppled over taking the whole team with them. I got think that starters and hitters are pressing now knowing that no lead is safe.
No. Not good at all. Qualls and Cruz are both gasoline waiting for a match. I'm guessing NH is waiting for Sept call-ups to bring up the young arms but by then it may be too late. Morris/Wilson/Slaten need to be up here now.
Also, can we just end the Spanky and Sluggo 2.0 experiment? Barajas is totally useless at the plate. Fort should start every game with Rod just serving as AJ's personal catcher. This team doesn't have the luxury of sending up automatic outs in slots 7-9, especially with Cold Pedro currently making an appearance.
