Monday, February 24, 2025, 5:23PM |  49°
MENU
Advertisement
Roansy Contreras #59 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after giving up six runs on seven hits in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
7
MORE

Pitching questions swirl, Roansy Contreras struggles and Pirates drop series to A’s

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Pitching questions swirl, Roansy Contreras struggles and Pirates drop series to A’s

Not long ago, the Pirates probably felt fairly comfortable with their starting pitching depth. It’s doubtful that holds true now.

For while there has certainly been improvement this season, what happened Wednesday was the latest bit of bad news for the group, as Roansy Contreras recorded just one out while giving up seven earned runs during a 9-5 loss to the Athletics at PNC Park.

The outing raised Contreras’ season ERA to 5.19. It also exacerbated some previous command issues, with Contreras clearly tentative with his mechanics and either missing the strike zone entirely or finding way too much of it.

Advertisement

“For some reason [Wednesday], it was hard for me to get into a rhythm,” Contreras said, with major league coach Stephen Morales translating. “I felt like my body wasn’t connected to my arm. It was hard for me to make pitches.”

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras sits in the dugout after being pulled from the team's baseball game against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
Joe Starkey
Joe Starkey: Alarm bells sound around Pirates rotation

Give Contreras credit for his honesty. However, that doesn’t make the solution any easier to find. And the Pirates absolutely need to do that right now.

It’s actually something the Pirates (32-29) pursued by shifting Contreras to the bullpen, but Vince Velasquez leaving his return start in Seattle early with right elbow discomfort scuttled those plans.

Contreras pitched once in relief before allowing five earned runs over four innings in his last start.

Advertisement

Should the Pirates continue to allow Contreras to make starts when clearly he needs additional work? Though it doesn’t feel like it after dropping two of three to Oakland, they’re still relatively close in the division race.

Manager Derek Shelton was noncommittal on what the Pirates will do with Contreras, citing off days on Thursday and Monday before a stretch of 13 straight and 26 in 27 days heading into the All-Star break.

If Mike Burrows were available, this might’ve been the perfect opportunity for him. But the same as JT Brubaker, they’re out for the year (and more) because of Tommy John surgery.

Could Quinn Priester get a shot? Maybe. He was really good aside from one start in May but also allowed four runs over five innings on Wednesday. His ERA is 4.63. The only other conceivable option from Triple-A is probably Osvaldo Bido. It’s unlikely that inspires much hope.

Former Pirate Neil Walker, part of a group that has built a baseball and soccer training center in Russelton, talks about the facility on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021.
Jason Mackey
Off The Bat: Neil Walker’s profile within Pittsburgh youth baseball scene only continues to grow

While we await news on Velasquez on Friday from director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk — the former’s return is hardly imminent — the Pirates seemingly have more questions than answers in the starting rotation — especially when you consider Mitch Keller has allowed 15 earned runs over his past three starts and Johan Oviedo has alternated between really good and really wild.

“It’s been tough this year to find myself on the mound,” Contreras said. “But I’ll continue to work hard and be the Roansy I know I can be.”

Oakland’s seven-run first all but sealed this one about a half-hour after it started. This marks just the third series victory this season for the Athletics and snapped a two-series winning streak for the Pirates.

Aside from strong games from Rodolfo Castro (double, homer, three RBIs) and Ke’Bryan Hayes (three hits), one of the only other redeeming storylines involved Andrew McCutchen’s seventh-inning single, which brought his career hit total to 1,998.

It felt for a brief moment like the Pirates might actually make something of this; however, a sequence in the sixth and seventh innings ensured they would indeed lose.

After Hayes tripled into the North Side Notch — he’s hitting .483 (14 for 29) during a seven-game hitting streak, with a double, two triples, two home runs and seven RBIs — Castro and Josh Palacios struck out, stranding Hayes at third.

“We had 22 walks in three games,” Shelton said.”We were patient. We just didn’t get the big hit the last two nights.”

ON THE MOUND

The problems for Contreras were plenty obvious from the jump.

Designated hitter Brent Rooker lined an elevated heater into left-center for a 1-0 Oakland lead. Second baseman Jace Peterson, who Tuesday night went 5 for 5 with two homers and five RBIs, found another four-seamer and laced a two-run double into the right-field corner.

Third baseman Jonah Bride singled on a slider that was actually a touch out of the zone for a 4-0 advantage before center fielder JJ Bleday hammered a middle-middle changeup over a leaping Hayes.

Rob Zastryzny issued a pair of bases-loaded walks to bring home two of Contreras’ baserunners.

“Learning experience here,” Shelton said. “We have to sit down and talk about it.”

AT THE PLATE

Entering the game with a 1.091 OPS against lefties (fifth in the National League), Castro got a 2-0 fastball from Athletics southpaw Hogan Harris that was up and out over the plate, crushing it 430 feet into the Pittsburgh bullpen for his sixth of the season.

In the fourth, Castro ambushed a first-pitch heater from Harris and drove it into the left-center gap to bring the Pirates to within four at 7-3.

“As hitters, that’s what you look for: production,” Castro said, with Morales translating. “It feels good, for sure. Hopefully more to come.”

In addition to his hit, McCutchen walked twice in the game and seven times in the series. It marked the third consecutive game McCutchen has recorded two-plus walks, the first time a Pirates player has done that since Jordy Mercer on May 2-5, 2017. McCutchen actually had multiple walks in four straight from Sept. 20-23, 2015.

QUOTABLE

“You definitely feel uncomfortable coming out of the game so early. That gives you room to think about all the stuff that you did or you could do, but it’s part of the game. Just continue to work hard, and we’re going to be a lot better.” — Contreras

UP NEXT

The Pirates are off on Thursday before starting a three-game series with the Mets over the weekend. Rich Hill gets the ball Friday. The veteran left-hander has a 6.69 career ERA against them.

Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.

First Published: June 7, 2023, 7:45 p.m.
Updated: June 8, 2023, 10:04 a.m.

RELATED
 Yohan Ramirez #46 of the Pittsburgh Pirates laughs while wearing the mascot Pirate Parrot's hat before the game against the Oakland Athletics during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Adam Bittner
Leak appears to show Pirates' new City Connect alternate uniforms
Pittsburgh Pirates Andrew McCutchen singles off St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jack Flaherty during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, June 2, 2023. (
Joe Starkey
Joe Starkey: Andrew McCutchen is the most popular Pirate since Willie Stargell
Andrew McCutchen meets with Roberto Clemente Jr. and his two sons, Roberto III and Leo, before Tuesday's Pirates game at PNC Park.
Jason Mackey
‘Really special’: Andrew McCutchen furthers connection with Clemente family during pregame meet-and-greet
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller walks in the dugout after pitching in the top of the first inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
Jason Mackey
Pirates' winning streak snapped at 6 after performance to forget against Athletics
Henry Davis, a Pirates prospect who made his Triple-A debut Tuesday, June 6, 2023, is seen here with Altoona Curve.
Andrew Destin
Pirates’ Henry Davis embracing opportunity to learn from Triple-A manager Miguel Perez, reunite with Endy Rodriguez
SHOW COMMENTS (110)  
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
President Donald Trump speaks at the Governors Working Session in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Feb. 21, 2025.
1
opinion
Bruce Ledewitz: The Supreme Court will step up and Trump will back down
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.
2
sports
Which positions are strong and weak at NFL combine? And how will Steelers approach this draft?
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr. (27) intercepts a pass during a failed two-point conversion by the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in the North Shore. The Kansas City Chiefs won 29-10.
3
sports
Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.24.25
La Grassa Pizza is now offering four-cut, late-night pies at The Vandal on Saturday nights.
4
life
Pittsburgh pizza news: La Grassa’s late-night pies and a big win for Mercurio’s
Pirates first-round pick Konnor Griffin hits against the Twins at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.
5
sports
Pirates top pick Konnor Griffin has raised eyebrows at spring training. Next step is learning to be a pro
Roansy Contreras #59 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after giving up six runs on seven hits in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras (59) wipes his face during the first inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, June 7, 2023.  (Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras sits in the dugout after being pulled from the team's baseball game against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, June 7, 2023.  (Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)
Roansy Contreras #59 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after giving up six runs on seven hits in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Rodolfo Castro #14 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a two RBI double in the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Rodolfo Castro #14 of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds third after hitting a solo home run in the second inning against the Oakland Athletics during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Carlos Santana #41 of the Pittsburgh Pirates scores on a two RBI double in the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story