Make it eight straight losses for the Pirates as they were shutout again by the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, 4-0.
Greg Brown has the recap.
The series wraps up this afternoon. RHP Kyle Hendricks (2-2, 3.18 ERA) starts for the Cubs. LHP Rich Hill (6-6, 4.31 ERA) starts for Pittsburgh. 12:10 airtime on 100.9 The Groundhog.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Cubs starter Marcus Stroman was tough to face.
The Pirates have been shutout in three of their last four games and haven’t scored a run in their past 28 innings. Shelton said one reason for that is stranding runners on the basepaths.
Shelton adds the cold streak is negatively affecting his hitters.
Shelton also said his pitchers, including Johan Oviedo, have given the team plenty of opportunities to win.
Injury concerns continue to plague the Pirates as Shelton said after the game Andrew McCutchen is dealing with a “sore elbow”. He said they are continuing to evaluate him and will have more information in the coming days. Center fielder Bryan Reynolds was also out yesterday due to a lower back issue. Initial reports said Reynolds was dealing with an oblique issue that could send him to the IL, but Shelton said in his pregame comments that was “news to me.” He is also being evaluated.
To take Reynolds’ place in the starting lineup, the Pirates recalled OF Cal Mitchell from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned RHP Yohan Ramirez. Mitchell went 0-for-1 last night.
MLB
MLB announced that next year’s off-site game will not return to the Field of Dreams in Iowa. Instead, the Cardinals and Giants will square off at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, which is the nation’s oldest professional baseball field in existence. It was home to the Birmingham Black Barons in the Negro Leagues.
