MIAMI — Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle said he didn’t see a “common thread” when it came to his bullpen’s failures this weekend at Marlins Park.
But here is the thread: the bullpen was uncommonly bad, even though the Pirates won two of three. But that series win was mostly due to the Pirates’ bats — not their bullpen.
Among the Pirates relievers who had outings they would prefer to forget:
Tony Watson, who had not allowed a run in 21 games and had not allowed a hit in 8 2/3 innings, saw both of his streaks end in Sunday’s eighth inning. Pinch-hitter Jeff Baker got an infield single to start the rally. Rafael Furcal followed with a single, and Casey McGehee’s two-run double to left-center scored them both, wiping away a 2-0 Pirates lead.
Jared Hughes took the loss Sunday, giving up a run in the 10th inning. He gave up a single, a sacrifice bunt and a crucial wild pitch, setting up McGehee’s game-winning sacrifice fly.
Stolmy Pimentel gave up four runs in 1 2/3 innings Saturday. The Pirates were fortunate to hold on to an 8-6 win.
Friday, three Pirates relievers — Justin Wilson, closer Jason Grilli and Mark Melancon — combined to blow a 6-2 lead. The Pirates came back to win in 13 innings, but, still, this has to make Pirates fans nervous.