Diamondbacks series recap: vs. the Pirates

Jul 3, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) is greeted by third baseman Martin Prado (R) after Goldschmidt scored a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Diamondbacks won 10-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

After taking two out of three against the struggling San Diego Padres, the Diamondbacks flew to Pittsburgh to play the Pirates for a three game series, the second leg of a 9 game three city road trip. This series didn’t go as well as the one against the Padres. With the trade deadline approaching, and where the Dbacks stand, there is virtually no chance of this team making the postseason. However, the Snakes are not ready to give up on the 2014 season. Miguel Montero spoke to azcentral.com about the state of his team: “I haven’t heard anyone say anything about giving up, and if that were the case, I’d be the first guy to let them know we’re not quitters,” he said. “It gets hard. It’s hard because when you see yourself so far behind from the lead, it’s a grind. It takes a lot out of you. Obviously, I don’t think any of us have given up.”

Game 1: Diamondbacks-2 Pirates-3

The Diamondbacks got off to as good of a start as they have all season long in the first game Friday night against the Pirates. Starting pitcher Wade Miley returned to his dominant form that we saw earlier in his career. He pitched eight shutout innings, and he commanded the zone better than we have seen all season long. It was by far his best start of the season. The Dbacks also supported him with two runs. Things ended with the worst possible outcome for the Snakes. After giving up two hits to start the 9th, Miley was taken out Manager Kirk Gibson, and in came Addison Reed, and once again Reed got in trouble. Reed allowed two hits and a walk in just 0.1 innings pitched and the Pirates won 3-2.

Game 2: Diamondbacks-1 Pirates-5

The Diamondbacks were not sharp in any phase of the game in game 2 and it resulted in the Dbacks third straight loss. Chase Anderson couldn’t get out of the fourth inning for his fourth straight loss, and the defense committed three errors. The Snakes offense prior to Sunday were limited to 10 runs in its past six games. Gregory Polanco hit a two run homer and reached base three times, and Pirates starter Charlie Morton continued to pitch well at PNC Park, his era in his home park is 2.13. The only guy that did anything right was Paul Goldschmidt who went three for four.

Game 3: Diamondbacks-10 Pirates-2

Its hard to believe that the Dbacks did not have a hit through the first five innings against Pirates starter Vance Worley. In the sixth with the Dbacks down 2-0 the offense finally got on track. Ender Inciarte followed hit a bloop to left to scoring Didi to cut the deficit to 2-1. Then David Peralta hit a two run homer and the Snakes suddenly lead 3-2. Then in the 9th inning the Dbacks really broke out scoring 7 runs on 9 hits. Five of them came off of new reliever Ernesto Frieri who continues to struggle this season. Those 10 runs equaled their total over the previous 6 games. Meanwhile Brandon McCarthy won his second game in a row allowing 2 runs in 5 and two thirds innings.

The Dbacks begin a series today against the Braves in Atlanta.