It was over in the top of the 1st

It really was over in the top of the 1st. What was really frustrating is that you could tell. The Pirates got on quick. Tabata and Presely both were on with McCutchen up. Now McCutchen got an RBI base hit and the Pirates now had runners at the corners with no one out. These are not just any runners, but speedsters. A good fly out scores Presley. Heck, a double play scores Presley. But with Walker, Jones and Harrison up, the Pirates did not get a second run across much less a third or fourth. And you could tell right then and there that this game was over.
Karstens then held up his part of the loss by giving up three runs. He would give up five by the fourth. He was not himself. Either he is not really right or was worried he was not right from his shoulder cramp last outing. He got beat around. Chris Resop would give up two more in his whole one out performance. The Pirates did push across four runs, but it was over by the time they scored their second run.

Not that this whole game was bad. Chris Leroux was amazing for 2 and a third. Multiple strikeouts and he faced the best in the line up. Daniel McCutchen also was okay. He got the Pirates out of the jam made by Resop. Both guys are probably in next year's bullpen. McCutchen has shown it all year, and Leroux is making his case. Right now I have to say it is a case I am impressed with.

Josh Harrison had two hits, but did not get the big hit when he needed it. Presley had a hit and a walk. These young guys played okay. Really when the Pirates put up four runs that should be enough, but today it was not. Many of the at bats were just going through the motions so that the game does not last all day.

Anyway, we are just a couple of days away from expanding the rosters. I expect that at least by the end of the AAA season that we will see quite a few people back. I would imagine that Moskos would be back. I imagine that Ciriaco probably comes back too. I don't see a reason not to bring back Alvarez. I do believe that there is no reason to leave Gorkys down when the season is over. Meek is almost certainly ready to be back, and will probably try to get a few innings in. However, that will mean a 40 man roster move. The question is do you drop Aaron Thomson. Right now I think not. He is probably going to have to come back as well since Karstens might be hurt. I think that means either Fryer or Jarmillo gets the ax off the roster. Whoever stays will probably come up. I think those are the only 6 coming up. No addition of Hague, and no Morris.