Pirates hitters reach new low with ninth-inning ‘strikeout cycle’

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in fairly the stoop, dropping eight of their previous 10 video games following a promising 9-2 begin to the 2024 season. The largest perpetrator within the stoop is a lineup that has seen nearly each hitter go into a serious stoop. That lineup reached an embarrassing new low within the ninth inning of Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Boston Pink Sox.

It was in that inning that the Pirates went by way of what can solely be known as a “strikeout cycle” wherein all three hitters struck out in three fully other ways.

Shortstop Oneil Cruz started the inning by placing out wanting in opposition to Pink Sox nearer Kenley Jansen.

That was adopted by middle fielder Michael A. Taylor being referred to as out on strikes as a consequence of a pitch-clock violation. Taylor had tried to step out of the field because the pitch clock went under eight seconds regardless of having already used his timeout in the course of the at-bat. That decision ended up getting Pirates supervisor Derek Shelton ejected.

The Pirates accomplished the cycle on the following batter when designated hitter Edward Olivares struck out swinging.

Three batters. Three strikeouts. Three fully other ways. Multi functional inning.

It’s truthfully an impressively unhealthy efficiency by a lineup that has progressively gotten worse because the season has gone on. 

Strikeouts have been a serious downside for the Pirates hitters, as they’ve already struck out greater than 210 occasions – third most within the league – by way of their first 21 video games. That features their 10 strikeouts on Saturday.