This is pretty much the pre-game worst-case scenario that I was afraid of when I wrote about Liriano not quite being up to snuff lately. It’s not that a seven-inning, six-strikeout, three-walk, three-run performance is bad, just that it’s not good enough when your offense hands you a 2-0 lead against Cole Hamels and the worst offense in baseball. Liriano was decent last night, and that wasn’t good enough.
Perhaps much less surprisingly, the Pirates made Cole Hamels really look like Cole Hamels for the first time this year. Hamels has struggled with his control a ton, but you wouldn’t have guessed it last night: he struck out nine Pirates and walked just one, scattering five hits across his seven innings. The Pirates really barely threatened him besides the rally that resulted in their two runs in the fifth.
And then of course the game ended with Steve Lombardozzi getting thrown out at home by Jeff Francouer. Just like we all drew it up in our pre-season hopes and dreams.
I suppose a four-game sweep would’ve been a bit of a pipe dream anyway.
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