The Pirates continue to struggle to find offense, and on Sunday the bats were largely silent again in the series finale against the Giants. Joe Block recaps the loss in San Francisco.
Manager Derek Shelton says the Pirates are hoping the bats wake up soon.
Shelton says his pitchers are doing their part.
One hope for the Pirates is getting more production out of first baseman Rowdy Tellez. Shelton says he’s seeing signs that Tellez is heating up.
The Pirates make the short trip from San Francisco to Oakland for tonight’s series opener against the A’s. Left-hander Bailey Falter [2-1, 3.33 ERA] matches up with A’s righty Joe Boyle {1-4, 7.06 ERA]. It’s a 9:15 airtime, 9:40 first pitch on 100.9 FM).
While the Pirates are in California, pitchers Marco Gonzalez and Ryan Borucki are seeking second opinions on their injured pitching arms. Gonzalez has a strained left forearm and Borucki a left triceps injury. On The Ben Cherington Show on 100.9 FM yesterday, the Pirates general manager said he’s optimistic that both pitchers will be able to return in time to pitch a lot this season, and with both, the team is just looking for confirmation of the original diagnoses.
ALTOONA CURVE
The Altoona Curve’s losing streak has reached nine games, and after Sunday’s 6-5 loss, it includes a six-game sweep by Akron. The Rubber Ducks jumped on Curve starter Anthony Solometo for four runs in the second inning, but Altoona fought back to tie the game at 5 in the 7th before Akron scored in the 9th on a fly ball that fell in because of a miscommunication between centerfielder Jase Bowen and Joe Perez. Jackson Glenn had three hits, with two doubles, for Altoona.
The Curve are off today and start a six-game set in Harrisburg tomorrow.
