Yesterday was the Pirates home opener, and naturally I was there to see it. I went with Adam2 and his dad. It was only the three of us this year, whereas in other years we had more people. I think for next year we are going to try and invite more, so if you want to come, put that in the back of your mind now. The goal is for multiple cars. The more, the merrier.
Naturally, the weather had to cooperate and give us a beautiful day. Just kidding, it snowed the night before. Not a little bit either, like four inches. I went to bed at 11:30 and there was nothing, when I got up at 6:30, the cars were completely covered. Fortunately it warmed up to a mild 47ish, so the snow melted fairly quick. Also, Pittsburgh received a good bit less snow, so it was not really a factor. Except that it was cold and I had to wear layers. In years past, I would have cared about wearing my Pirates gear on the outside so people could see me supporting the team. This year, I did not care. I wore my damn coat because it was warm. It worked out because I was actually comfortable most of the game. Smart thinking Josh!
Also, I should mention that this year I drank significantly less than the year before and completely remember every part of the game. Last year was definitely a shit show. Probably why I did not even write about it. This year though, I was good. Few beers before the game, then drank water once inside. Yay for being a responsible adult!
Our seats were pretty awesome. We were just to the left (if you are looking from home plate) of the Clemente Wall (so between center and right). We were in the front row, so when the ball hit the wall at one point, it was right in front of us. I was probably on television eating a chicken wing. I hope I didn’t look like George Costanza.
So…thoughts on the game. The game started with a bang. Colin Moran hit a grand slam to put the Pirates up 5-0. I realize people probably think I hate the new Pirates that came over from the trades or that I am rooting for them to fail. That is definitely not the case. I want them to do well. I want to be wrong. I want NH to be the genius that many of us think he is and these trades to end up proving he is one of the best GMs out there. I really do want all of that to happen. Nothing would make me happier than the Pirates being good this year and Moran winning the ROY while hitting 35 HRs.
After the grand slam though, the Pirates offense was pretty much over. They only had five hits all day. On a positive note, they did walk 11 times (6 off of Lance Lynn). Polanco had four of those walks. It would be great to see a patient Pirates offense. I think after Lynn came out, the Buccos only had two more hits. So obviously the offense put up runs and capitalized on Lynn’s lack of command early on, but there were missed opportunities. None bigger than J-Hay at the end of the game. There were runners on 2nd & 3rd with one out. He just needs to hit a fly ball (or make decent contact). He ends up striking out on a pitch that looked to be a few inches outside, on a very ugly swing.
Jameson Taillon pitched a very good game. I was a little perplexed by how quickly Clint pulled him. Taillon strikes out Robbie Grossman to start the 6th, then gives up a home run to Brian Dozier. Okay, no big deal, it is 5-1. Then Joe Mauer gets a base hit. Again, no real need to panic here. You have Miguel Sano up, with Mauer on first. I feel like a double play is an option. At this point Taillon has struck out nine and not issued a walk. What is the worst that can happen? Sano hits a home run and the score is 5-3 and then you pull Taillon. Hurdle elects to pull Taillon and bring in Edgar Santana, who gives up a double to Sano. He then throws a wild pitch and Mauer scores. Santana gets Rosario to pop out, but then gives up a double to Escobar, scoring Sano. It is now 5-3. Hurdle brings in Josh Smoker, who gives up a double to Max Kepler making it 5-4. Hurdle brings in Neverauskas. To me that seems like a bit overkill in the top of the sixth inning. Three pitchers for two outs.
Fortunately the bullpen was able to nail it down after that. Neverauskas pitched the 7th, Feliz the 8th, then Kontos came in to pick up the save since Rivero was unavailable after pitching both games of the double-header on Sunday. I get that people think the bullpen is the strength, but Hurdle has a tendency to really overuse them. If Taillon does get himself out of the sixth, maybe he starts the 7th with a very short leash (or was he due up, so he would have been pinch hit anyways). I realize it is easy to sit here and say what someone should do. If he allows Taillon to stay in and Sano hits a home run, then I am sitting here screaming that Hurdle leaves his starters in too long.
At the end of the day, the Pirates won the game and that is all that matters. They are 4-0. I think that is something worth celebrating!
One of our discussions yesterday was about how many home openers we have been to. So I figured I would do a quick history.
2009: Steve and I went to our first home opener. The Pirates beat the Astros 7-0. I was on the news in Altoona!
2010: Steve and I went again. The Pirates beat the Dodgers 11-5.
2011: Lindsey and I went to the game. It was a beautiful day, but the Pirates lost 7-1 to the Rockies.
2012: Lindsey and I went again, this time it was against the Phillies. Roy Halladay pitched a fantastic game and beat the Pirates 1-0.
2013: Lindsey and I could not make it that year. I think our schedules and vacations had something to do with it, but I cannot remember the precise reason.
2014: This was the first year that we went with Adam2 and his dad. The Pirates beat the Cubs 4-3 after a Neil Walker walk-off home run.
2015: I went down with Adam2 and a much larger crew. Lindsey did not go that year. I did not write about it, but the Pirates beat the Tigers 5-4.
2016: Tickets were pretty expensive that year, plus this was the only day we could have family over for dinner. We did go to the second game of the year though, does that count?
2017: I went with Adam2 and his dad. The Pirates beat the Braves 5-4. As I said, it was a rough one. Probably the last time I have drank like that and most likely the last time I will. Yep, it was that bad.
So now we have a decent history. The Pirates are 6-2 when I go to the home opener and for those of you mathematically challenged, I have been to eight openers.
