Pirates one-hit by Twins for 2-0 defeat

Well, I jinxed us again. Just when you thought the Pittsburgh Pirates were about the get to .500, something like this happens.

Pittsburgh’s top starter JT Brubaker pitched another fine outing, giving up just two runs (both solo home runs) on five hits in seven innings, but he was outdueled by Minnesota Twins starter J.A. Happ, who had a no-hitter going until Jacob Stallings doubled in the eighth. Minnesota’s Tyler Duffy and Taylor Rogers combined to finish out the game after Happ went seven and a third, and the Twins picked up the win over the Buccos 2-0.

It was a long night for the Pirates at the plate, as Twins pitchers combined to walk just three in addition to that lone hit, and Minnesota did just enough at the plate to secure the victory.

A solo home run by Willians Austudillo in the third off a four-seamer by Brubaker and another solo shot by Jake Cave off another fastball, this one needing reviewed down the left field line, was all that the Twins needed to send the Pirates back to two games under .500 with a 9-11 record.

It was a tough loss for the Bucs, who wasted a third straight fine outing by Brubaker who, in my mind, has been the surprise player of the year so far for the Bucs.

Pittsburgh reliver Sam Howard struck out the side in the the eighth, his only inning pitched, as the creakiest portion of Pittsburgh’s game (pitching) managed to show up just in time for the bats to go totally silent.

Que sera sera, however, as the Bucs will look to get back at it tomorrow, when they again take on the Twins, this time in a 2:10pm game in the afternoon. Trevor Cahill takes the mound for Pittsburgh, and he’ll look to bounce back from an ugly first two starts, while the Twins will go with Michael Pineda.

See you in the game thread tomorrow!