Pittsburgh Review

PITTSBURGH -- Andrew McCutchen bounded up from his slide, indicated that he was safe and, after a review, was proven to be right. After falling behind by five runs following a historically poor start to the game, the Pirates were up by a run in the bottom of the sixth.

They couldn’t finish it, though. Aroldis Chapman and Colin Holderman could not hold down Arizona, and despite overcoming Luis Ortiz’s rocky first inning, the Pirates ended up losing to the D-backs, 9-8, at PNC Park on Friday.

And while it’s too early to push a panic button, the consequences of this game were felt in the ballpark all game. Chants of “he’s safe” during McCutchen's play review and the rowdiness of the crowd as the Pirates nearly pulled off perhaps their best comeback of the season underscored its significance. Both teams are in contention for National League Wild Card spots.

"I don't think it's too early,” said Derek Shelton about whether this game had a pennant-chase atmosphere. “You get in a situation with the team that's above you, a team we just played, a team that played in the World Series. [They are] really good. Games are important. That's why I was proud of our group for continuing to battle back. We've just got to finish that game."

Ortiz struggled out of the gate in his start, surrendering a triple to leadoff hitter Corbin Carroll that turned into a Little League home run when Oneil Cruz made a throwing error to third base. Ketel Marte, Joc Pederson and Josh Bell followed with consecutive home runs to build an early 4-0 lead for Arizona. According to OptaStats, it was the first time a team started with at least 15 total bases in their first four batters of a game. The Diamondbacks tallied another run before the inning concluded.

Given no available long-relief man after using Jake Woodford in a five-inning spot start Wednesday, Shelton opted to push Ortiz further into his outing. Ortiz regrouped spectacularly and did not allow another hit until his final inning pitched.

"Me and Joey [Bart] got together during that inning,” Ortiz said about his rough start via interpreter Stephen Morales. “Joey told me to start from zero again and go back out there and do my best next inning."

Ortiz did so successfully saving bullpen resources and giving his team an opportunity for recovery.

"We always learn from our mistakes,” Ortiz added. “It's just turn the page and go again."

The offense chipped away at Arizona's lead especially during their four-run sixth inning featuring RBI hits by McCutchen Bryan Reynolds and Cruz who recorded one of his career-high five hits despite recent defensive struggles.

However it wasn’t enough for Pittsburgh's bullpen as Bell homered off Chapman's fastball while Holderman surrendered an RBI double leading ultimately costing them victory.

"It's finishing people,” Shelton commented on Holderman’s recent struggles noting several critical late-game failures including Friday's loss against Arizona.

With this defeat Pittsburgh stands at 55-54 this season trailing behind playoff positions yet still within reach pending consistent performance improvements such as avoiding similar losses experienced recently

Reflecting positively Cruz stated "It's always good sign our team is fighting back...sign playoff hopeful.”