The Pittsburgh Pirates ended their first losing streak of the year with a dominant 7-4 win over the Detroit Tigers today. They are now 5-2 on the season. Here are today’s takeaways and throwaways for game seven of the season.
Takeaways:
- Justin Verlander came into today’s game undefeated in interleague starts at Comerica Park. The Pirates took that and spun it on him by putting up seven earned runs on Verlander and forced him out after throwing 111 pitches in 4.1 innings. The Pirates, which on the season are season 4.0 pitches per at bat, saw 4.8 pitches per at bat against Verlander.
- After going 5-35 with runners in scoring position against the Reds in Cincinnati, the Pirates exploded for six hits in 17 at bats with runners in scoring position while adding three walks against the Tigers. The Pirates came up with a lot of extra base hits with no outs or one out. This, along with “smart hitting” as Chris Stewart would say led to the Pirates’ success with runners in scoring position.
Throwaways:
- Jon Niese was pumping in first pitch strikes the whole game for the Pirates. However, he was burned on two first pitch fastballs that were hit for home runs by the Tigers Nick Castellanos and J.D. Martinez. While getting ahead of hitters is important for a pitcher, Niese became predictable pumping in fastballs for first pitch strikes. He began to mix it up after the Castellanos home run, but fell victim once again when Martinez took him deep in the fifth inning.
- After cruising through five innings on the mound, the sixth inning did not come as easy for Niese. After striking out Ian Kinsler, Niese gave up three runs aided by a Jordy Mercer error. His command seemed to run away from him, falling behind multiple batters during the inning. Niese was able to get out of the inning with the Pirates having a three run lead.
That was the Pirates 6th double today.
The last time we had 6 or more doubles in a game was 6/12/14 vs. Chicago (7).#GameNotes
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 11, 2016
W– Jon Niese (1-0)
L- Justin Verlander (0-1)
S: Mark Melancon (3)
Line of the afternoon:
Matt Joyce came into his first start with the Pirates against the team that drafted him with a .353 batting average against Justin Verlander. Joyce continued that trend by going 2 for 3 against Verlander with an RBI and a run scored.
Next up:
The Pittsburgh Pirates continue their road trip in Detroit with their fourth-straight afternoon game. Juan Nicasio will toe the rubber for his second Pirate start. Nicasio is trying to build on his first start in which he gave up one earned run on two hits and recorded seven strikeouts. Anibal Sanchez with take the hill for the Tigers. Sanchez went five innings for the Tigers last week against the Marlins while giving up two home runs on four hits and walked three.
Take a look at our Series Preview for more in-depth info on the Pirates-Tigers series.
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