Monday, February 24, 2025, 11:36AM |  35°
MENU
Advertisement
Pittsburgh Pirates' Jacob Stallings hits a double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Saturday, July 27, 2019, in New York.
4
MORE

Pirates' losing streak reaches seven in a row after loss to Mets in N.Y.

Frank Franklin II/AP

Pirates' losing streak reaches seven in a row after loss to Mets in N.Y.

NEW YORK — Saying the Pirates are in a funk since the All-Star break wouldn’t come close to describing the stench of their 2-13 record since the All-Star Game.

Saturday night, wasted opportunities littered the landscape in a 3-0 loss against the New York Mets at Citi Field as the Pirates continued their slide after being within striking distance of the National League Central Division lead at the break.

The loss extended the Pirates losing streak to seven games.

Advertisement

Frustration set it in early, too.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington watches batting practice Friday, July 19, 2019, at PNC Park.
Nubyjas Wilborn
Neal Huntington admits the Pirates will try to sell at trade deadline

The Pirates went down 1-2-3 in the first inning with strikeouts to Kevin Newman and Starling Marte.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle didn’t agree with either called strike and argued with home-plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.

“I felt that two of our first three hitters got clipped on called third strikes. I wanted to stop a trend. That was basically it,” Hurdle said.

Advertisement

“I thought we had both guys that got punched out on strikes that weren’t strikes. Two out of three to start the game.”

Then, the wasted opportunities began to kick in.

Todd Frazier misplayed a ground ball by Josh Bell at third base with none out in the second, but, five pitches later, Bryan Reynolds grounded into a double play. Mets starter Steven Matz then got Jose Osuna on a fly ball to Michael Conforto in center to end the inning.

“Double plays have hurt us. They’ve been hurting us for about a week now,” Hurdle said. “Those are things that we were staying out of before. Those are balls that we were backing up with a base hit and doing some damage. It hasn’t worked that way. I think Reynolds hit into double plays the past two nights.”

The Pirates have yet to determine the status of left fielder Corey Dickerson, who left the team's 6-3 loss to the Mets Friday in New York with left groin discomfort.
Nubyjas Wilborn
Pirates uncertain on Corey Dickerson's status, but Steven Brault making progress with shoulder strain

“He’s a guy that was doing nothing but throwing out base hits. He still is making hard contact and he got a hit later.”

Matz would retire the next five hitters before Melky Cabrera got the first hit of the game. Cabrera belted a one-out double that bounced over the left-center field wall in the fourth.

Once again, the Pirates squandered an opportunity. This time, Starling Marte failed to drive in Cabrera with a ground ball to third, and Bell struck out to end the inning.

Another blown chance to score runs came in the sixth with the score tied at zero.

Jacob Stallings lined a double to center to lead off the inning. Starting pitcher Trevor Williams struck out trying to bunt Stallings over for the first out. Newman followed with a single to left.

Stallings wasn’t sure the ball would land in front of the left fielder, hesitated briefly, and stopped at third rather than try to score. It’s hard to know if slow-running Stallings could’ve scored on a ball that shallow, but the hesitation eliminated all hope.

Then, things got worse as Cabrera hit into a double play to end the threat.

“We missed a critical opportunity in the sixth,” Hurdle said.

“We failed to get a bunt down and our failure to drive a runner in with less than two outs really because you don’t know the landscape of the game after that.”

Williams walked Conforto with one out in the first before the Pirates starter retired the next 14 batters before giving up his first hit of the game on a fifth-inning double by J.D. Davis.

Williams carried a no-hitter through 5⅓ innings and, of course, it, too, was wasted.

“We got the outing we needed tonight and we didn’t touch the plate,” Hurdle said.

Conforto hit a home run off Williams in the sixth. Davis blasted a two-run homer in the seventh.

Davis’ home run would’ve been a solo blast if not for a misplay by Jung Ho Kang on popup by Todd Frazier. Kang dropped the ball, and Frazier got a gift hit.

If there had been two outs and the bases empty as it should’ve been, perhaps Williams would have pitched differently to Davis.

Instead, Williams ended his night giving up three runs on four hits and two walks. He also had seven strikeouts. It was a good game for Williams, but Matz was better.

“Trevor pitched extremely well” said Hurdle. “It was his best start of the year. He was pitch efficient.

“Matz was better. His routine stayed the same. All of his pitches worked and kept our hitters off balance all night,”

Matz confounded Pirates hitters on his way to a complete-game shutout. He allowed five hits with no walks and struck out seven.

As the nosedive continued, the Pirates’ record dipped to 46-58.

Nubyjas Wilborn: nwilborn@post-gazette.com and Twitter @nwilborn19.

First Published: July 28, 2019, 2:05 a.m.
Updated: July 28, 2019, 2:09 a.m.

RELATED
In this file photo Mariners Parker Markel delivers a pitch during a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Thursday, May 16, 2019, in Seattle.
Nubyjas Wilborn
Pirates claim right-handed pitcher Parker Markel off waivers from Seattle Mariners
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Protesters gathered at the corner of Murray and Forbes avenues to speak out against the Trump administration's policies on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Squirrel Hill.
1
news
‘We will fight back’: Hundreds rally in Squirrel Hill in opposition of Trump, Musk and president’s administration
This undated photo provided by the Denver Police Department shows Andrew Duarte who served as a Denver police officer from 2017 to 2022.
2
news
Officer killed in York hospital shootout was PennWest California graduate
Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden catches a pass against Ohio State during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
3
sports
Which positions are strong and weak at NFL combine? And how will Steelers approach this draft?
Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen (2) reacts after a sack against Wake Fores during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
4
sports
Steelers NFL draft big board: Best fits on defensive line
Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller warms up in the outfield befiore their first home game of the Grapefruit League season at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.
5
sports
3 takeaways from Pirates’ second straight win to start spring training
Pittsburgh Pirates' Jacob Stallings hits a double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Saturday, July 27, 2019, in New York.  (Frank Franklin II/AP)
Trevor Williams of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the second inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 27, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.  (Adam Hunger / Getty Images)
Clint Hurdle of the Pittsburgh Pirates argues with home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt #21 after being ejected for arguing balls and strikes during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 27, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.  (Adam Hunger / Getty Images)
New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz, right, celebrates with catcher Wilson Ramos after a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, July 27, 2019, in New York.  (Frank Franklin II/AP)
Frank Franklin II/AP
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story