Bucs’ bats silent as DBacks complete four game sweep

The Pirates’ nine game, rain soaked homestand came to a close Sunday afternoon when the Arizona Diamondbacks completed a four game sweep with a 3-0 win.

The Pirates scored only six runs in the 40 innings of the series, including just three in the final 34 frames. They managed just five hits Sunday, didn’t draw a walk and put only seven batted balls in the air while striking out nine times.

In their last 22 innings, only 20 Pirates batted balls have left the infield.

“These guys are working hard to get better. We haven’t gotten better,” Clint Hurdle said. “Some are watching tape. Some are taking swings, trying to make minor adjustments. Nothing’s transferred into the game as of yet. That’s what we’ll keep working on.”

The Diamondbacks pounced on Pirates’ starter Trevor Williams (6-5) early, recording four hits in their first six batters, including home runs by David Peralta and John Ryan Murphy. While Williams recovered to record a quality start- 6 IP, 5 hits, 3 runs and six strikeouts- the damage was already done.

“Unfortunately, it was the difference in the game,” Williams said on the two home run balls. “The pitch to Peralta I didn’t think was a bad pitch. If anything it was a dangerous pitch to the type of hitter he is. I thought we backed him off enough to throw a slider in there and try to get a strike, but he’s a good hitter, he stayed in there and he hit it pretty good. The other one, the Murphy homer, was a missed pitch location. He was ambushing fastball and he got all of it.

“Unfortunately, that was the game today, and from there on I thought I was making all my pitches.”

Williams threw 14 first pitch strikes to his 23 batters faced and retired eight on three pitches or fewer.

Clay Buchholz was pulled with tightness in his left side, but not before finishing five innings of two hit ball to improve his record to 2-1. Brad Boxberger recorded his 17th save.

In Other News

RHP Michael Feliz was placed on the 10-day disabled list before Sunday’s game with right shoulder inflammation. Feliz pitched two innings of relief Saturday, but had a noticeable drop in fastball velocity as the game progressed.

RHP Clay Holmes was recalled from AAA Indianapolis. The Pirates’ 18th best prospect (per MLB Pipeline) currently has a 3.39 ERA in 66.1 AAA innings. He made one appearance in his first MLB stint on Apr. 6, going two innings of relief.

Holmes pitched two scoreless innings Sunday, getting five ground balls in six plate appearances.

On Deck

The Bucs are hitting the Big Apple for a three game series with the Metropolitans starting Monday at 7:10 p.m.. Jameson Taillon (4-6, 4.03) will oppose Seth Lugo (2-2, 2.85) in game one.

NUMB3RS

1. This is the first time this season Colin Moran has failed to reach base safely in back-to-back starts. He had reached base in his previous 19 starts.
2. Corey Dickerson is slashing .171/.216/.229 in his last 10 games (since June 11).
3. Sean Rodriguez is 1-30 in his last 14 games with 13 strikeouts.