PIRATES SLOG THROUGH ANOTHER DRAB PERFORMANCE AT PNC PARK

The Pirates’ bats went dormant again last night as they took their second shutout loss in three games.  Joe Block recaps the game against the Nationals.

The Pirate’s top four hitters in the lineup last night were a combined 0-for-16 with seven strikeouts.  The Bucs are the worst-hitting team in the Major Leagues and the third-worst fielding team and both of those deficiencies were on display again last night.  Manager Derek Shelton says they couldn’t catch up to the fastball.

Even though they were only charged with one error, the Bucs let a ball fall for a single after three players converged on it, and Oneil Cruz almost ran over Jack Suwinski on another play in the outfield.  Shelton says he expects better.

In a matchup of lefties tonight, Bailey Falter [0-2, 7.20 ERA] faces off against Washington’s Mitchell Parker [2-0, 1.96 ERA].  The pregame airs at 6:15, first pitch is at 6:40 on WCCS.)

Endy Rodriguez has landed on the ten-day injured list with his lacerated finger, which required four stitches.  Reliever Chase Shugarts was called up to replace him and catcher Joey Bart is ready to return to the lineup from his bad back.  Catcher Abrahan Guttierez was added to the taxi squad in case Bart can’t return.

Infielder Jared Triolo started a rehab assignment in Indianapolis last night and was 2-for 3 with a home run and a walk in an 11-6 loss to Toledo.

ALTOONA CURVE

Altoona could manage only one hit in a 6-1 loss to Somerset. Hunter Barco starts for the Curve in the second game of the  series tonight.