Pittsburgh Review

SAN DIEGO -- The Pirates faced another setback amid their longest losing streak of the season, learning they will be without Marco Gonzales for the remainder of the year. Despite Jake Woodford making a strong spot start in his place on Monday, the Pirates fell to the Padres at Petco Park, losing 2-1.

The loss marked their eighth consecutive defeat, currently the longest active streak in Major League Baseball. Five of these losses have been by just one run. On Monday, it came down to a Jackson Merrill dive with two outs in the ninth inning. If he had missed Bryan Reynolds’ drive, it likely would have been a game-tying extra-base hit. Instead, Merrill made the catch.

"I think if you were painting up how the last 10 days have gone, that kind of sums it up right there," said manager Derek Shelton. "We just have to make our own break. Bryan has a not good at-bat there, swings out of the zone but squares the ball right up. [Merrill] makes a heck of a catch, and that ends up being the difference in the game."

The Pirates had opportunities with runners in scoring position in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings but failed to capitalize, stranding Oneil Cruz—who reached base three times—twice. They squandered a quality start on a day when they received bad news about their pitching staff.

Gonzales was one of Pittsburgh’s main starting pitching acquisitions this winter after being limited to 10 starts last season due to a left forearm strain. He suffered another forearm strain in mid-April and returned after three months of rest and rehab to make four more starts. However, this latest injury and subsequent trip to the 60-day injured list will end his regular season and possibly his Pirates career as it seems highly likely that the team will decline his club option for 2025.

“It’s extremely challenging and unfortunate because he did battle back and worked his butt off to get back,” Shelton said before Monday's game. “We just need to see what we’re dealing with and kind of go from there.”

At the Trade Deadline, Pittsburgh felt confident about its starting pitching depth which led them to trade rotation options Martín Pérez to San Diego and Quinn Priester to Boston. With Gonzales out for the year, their options are now limited. Jared Jones needs at least one more rehab start if not multiple; prospect Mike Burrows has been inconsistent in Triple-A since returning from Tommy John surgery; Braxton Ashcraft is on the injured list.

Despite these challenges, Woodford has emerged as one bright spot over recent weeks after joining as a midseason Minor League free agent following his release by Chicago White Sox earlier this year.. Though not overpowering ,he effectively used his sinker along with mixing cutters & sweepers keeping Padres hitters off balance until Jurickson Profar's double leading off seventh inning resulted eventually into game's first run scored via Xander Bogaerts' single .

"Sour ending aside ,it’s definitely an effort any team would appreciate given circumstances," noted Woodford . "Just trusting myself ," he added further explaining ,"I've been aggressive with it . I think I've stayed within myself without trying too much today Joey Bart & I had really good plan sticking through stubbornly".

Being swingman isn’t easy task especially when required pitch next day following previous night's extended innings . Yet Woodford remains unfazed ready adapting fluidly according situational demands "I've pitched every role throughout career" shared calmly expressing preparedness taking whatever role needed momentarily .