One step forward, two steps back.
The Pirates' 2022 season has had a number of moments like this. They'll put together a well-played game, or win a game like they did Friday where they scratch and claw their way to a victory. Then they'll turn around and be humbled, as they were in Saturday night's 10-1 bludgeoning by the Reds.
Actually, "bludgeoning" might not be the correct word. When Tyler Beede began to lose his ability to execute pitches in the fourth inning, it only took a couple swings to turn a 1-0 Reds advantage into a 5-0 lead, including this mammoth 457-foot home run by Jake Fraley that splashed into the Allegheny:
And when the Reds put together SEVEN STRAIGHT SINGLES in the ninth to plate five more runs, it could be best described as Chinese water torture. Watching the ninth inning go on and on with single, single, single, single, single, single, single -- that could drive anyone mad.
But for those who support the Pirates, what will drive them mad will be watching a game like this, then read comments from Ben Cherington that the team is making progress throughout this season.
As I pointed out in that story, "progress" is hard to pinpoint when the tangible results are negative far more often than they are positive. "Progress" is hard to pinpoint when the club ranks dead last in the National League in batting average and OPS -- the most basic statistics for both traditional and analytical fans.
In addition, "progress" is hard to pinpoint when the Pirates are embarrassed on their own field by a team that's right alongside them in the basement of the NL Central.
It goes without saying, but it should be said anyway: There shouldn't be knee-jerk reactions to every game. When the Pirates win one game, it doesn't mean the team is turning a corner. And when they lose, it doesn't mean every person in charge should be losing their job. Friday's win was an opportune time for several players to contribute to a well-earned win -- it came on the same day Cherington spoke at length about his perceived progress.
But then, if there is actual progress taking place, there are moments such as Saturday that remind us all how much more this team still needs to progress, grow and develop.
Beede is not an answer for the starting rotation. When he turns in four innings of work with five runs (four earned) on six hits, it's a reminder that the Pirates need answers for the future of the pitching staff. While Beede is serving a needed purpose right now, we all know a good portion of the pitching that is expected to help this team contend is still in the minor leagues. Some options on the big-league staff -- guys such as Mitch Keller, JT Brubaker, David Bednar and maybe even Bryse Wilson, who is trending upward -- are taking steps forward this season.
Oneil Cruz -- a guy the Pirates really need to develop into an impact player -- is still learning how to hit at the major-league level. He went 0 for 2 Saturday night with two walks and two strikeouts. That stat line epitomizes the volatility of a 23-year-old that still doesn't even have 200 at-bats in the major leagues.
Derek Shelton said it perfectly about Cruz prior to the game. "The process at times can be frustrating. And then at times, he can excite the hell out of you with what he does. So we just have to stay the course with him."
Similar things can be said about Jack Suwinski. And Rodolfo Castro. And Bligh Madris. And Cal Mitchell. And Tucupita Marcano. And Diego Castillo. And all of the other young players that have been on the carousel between Pittsburgh and Class AAA Indianapolis this year.
And there will be times where the young guys shine. We've seen it throughout the season, and Castro provided the only -- literally, the only -- offensive spark Saturday night with an impressive home run hit to the North Side Notch:
But, as we've seen with the slew of players mentioned and several others not mentioned, any perceived "progress" is difficult to see when the numbers simply aren't there. Progress can happen without results early on in a player's career. Most players don't step into the major leagues and take off without any regression. There will be painful moments for these players. What's more, they'll be magnified when every single at-bat or inning on the mound is center stage.
Bryan Reynolds is the only one established star on this team. When everything is going right for him, as it has since June 1, people will then focus on everyone else. And everyone else is still learning how to play the game at this level.
However, we can't let anyone off the hook. While Cherington and Shelton were going into the job with the arduous task of turning around a ballclub in awful shape, the grace period for "progress" without results is quickly running out. The 2022 season -- a year that was never going to be competitive -- only has 42 games remaining. Cherington admits more progress needs to be made, and he's certainly right. At a certain point, it has to start showing up in the standings.
MORE FROM THE GAME
• The Pirates' offense was nonexistent throughout the night. The team tallied four hits, and went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position. Half of those hits belonged to Castro. Marcano led off the first inning with a double, but was subsequently picked off second base. Even guys such as Kevin Newman and Reynolds that have been reliable lately were hitless.
Castro's performance obviously stood out, and he's now batting .308 since being recalled on Aug. 9. Guys learn in different ways and at different levels, and Shelton is pleased with what he's seen from Castro since he's returned.
"I think he's been consistent with the pitches he's swinging at," Shelton said. "And that's one of the things that we asked him to focus on when he went to Indy. He's swinging at the right pitches. When we've seen him do that, he's hit the ball hard. That was evident tonight. I mean, for a left-handed hitter to hit a homer where he hit it, that's a long way."
• Sandwiched between Beede's four innings and the collapse in the ninth inning was four scoreless innings provided by Chase De Jong and Yohan Ramirez, both logging two innings each.
With the performance, De Jong improved to a 2.23 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 48 1/3 innings this season. Cherington has tried to hit on a number of reclamation projects, which explains all the waiver claims taking place.
"We can’t leave any rock unturned," Cherington said Friday. "In some cases, we’re gonna hit on one of those, and they’re gonna become an important player for us."
De Jong obviously wasn't a waiver claim, but he's turned into a very reliable arm in a bullpen that's been quite volatile this season.
• Ke'Bryan Hayes took part in some running and other baseball activities prior to Saturday's game, such as hitting and taking ground balls. Shelton was "very optimistic" that Hayes will be able to return after spending the minimum number of days on the IL, but also said how he feels Sunday would be the better day to gauge how quickly he can return.
• Prior to Saturday's game, the Pirates activated Nick Mears from the 60-day Injured List and optioned him to Indianapolis.
THE ESSENTIALS
• Boxscore
• Live file
• Standings
• Statistics
• Schedule
• Scoreboard
THE HIGHLIGHTS
THE INJURIES
• 10-day injured list: 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes (strained mid-back muscle)
• 15-day injured list: RHP David Bednar (low back), LHP Dillon Peters (left elbow inflammation)
• 60-day injured list: RHP Yerry De Los Santos (lat), OF Canaan Njigba-Smith (wrist), RHP Blake Cederlind (elbow), RHP Max Kranick (elbow), C Roberto Pérez (hamstring)
THE LINEUPS
Shelton's card:
1. Tucupita Marcano, LF
2. Kevin Newman, 2B
3. Bryan Reynolds, CF
4. Ben Gamel, DH
5. Rodolfo Castro, 3B
6. Oneil Cruz, SS
7. Greg Allen, RF
8. Bligh Madris, 1B
9. Tyler Heineman, C
And for David Bell's Reds:
1. Jake Fraley, RF
2. Jonathan India, 2B
3. Kyle Farmer, 3B
4. Mike Moustakas, 1B
5. Donovan Solano, DH
6. Nick Senzel, CF
7. TJ Friedl, LF
8. Jose Barrero, SS
9. Austin Romine, C
THE SCHEDULE
The rubber match is set for Sunday afternoon. Zach Thompson (3-9, 5.51) will take on lefty Mike Minor (1-10, 6.31) at 1:35 p.m. DK and Alex Stumpf will have you covered.
THE CONTENT
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