CHICAGO -- For those of you who are superstitious, or at least a little stitious, it was Friday the 13th, and there was a full moon. Perhaps that could be partially to blame for the Pirates 17-8 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field Friday.
It will be 30 years until the next time a full moon falls on a Friday the 13th. Not to be outdone, it has been 40 years since a pitcher had a line like Steven Brault's Friday.
Brault allowed 10 runs, all earned, on five home runs in 2.2 innings pitched. According to Baseball-Reference's Play Index, since 1908, the only other pitcher who allowed that many runs and homers in a start that last three innings or fewer was Frank Pastore of the Reds on May 25, 1979.
"Every mistake I made today was a home run," Brault said. "... I've never had anything like that happen to me before."
Three of those mistakes came in the first after the offense had spotted him a quick four run lead. First, Nicholas Castellanos went deep for a two run home run before an out was recorded.
Two batters later, Willson Contreras took one 460 feet to left-center:
Two batters later, Nico Hoerner gave the Cubs the lead. It was the rookie's first home run.
Contreras struck again to open the third with a home run, this time traveling 455 feet. Brault loaded the bases later in the inning, but was still one out away from escaping the frame and keeping the Pirates in the game. But Anthony Rizzo:
Did that. Brault's final pitch was a grand slam and his fifth home run allowed.
He became the third Pirate pitcher ever to have allowed five home runs in a game. The other two occurrences were recent, too: Chris Archer on June 11 of this year and Ivan Nova on July 3, 2018.
Needless to say, it was not Brault, or basically any Pirate pitcher's day.
"Wind's blowing out. It's a challenging day to pitch," Clint Hurdle said. "However, our plan A for Steven didn't really work. Plan B didn't come around either."
Winds did top over 20 mph in the hitter's favor. Not that Brault was looking for an excuse.
"It was all the wind's fault, actually," Brault said. "The 460 foot home run I gave up to Contreras was definitely wind aided."
No, it was not the wind. It was the full moon. Even if the game was played during the day.
• The Pirates pulled back to within three in the top of the fifth and Yefry Ramirez appeared to retire the Cubs in order in the home half, but the Cubs won a challenge that Kris Bryant beat out a two out infield single. That sparked a rally where the next eight batters would all reach base safely, which resulted in seven more runs.
"It was just lack of execution," Hurdle said. "They made us pay for every mistake over the plate."
• Pirate pitchers also walked 10 batters, the most they have surrendered this season.
"It seemed to me that we were trying not to make mistakes, trying not to give up stuff and we ended up with way too many walks, way too many pitches, way too many offensive counts for them," Hurdle said. "... We got what we deserved today."
• Friday was the 27th time the Pirates allowed 10 or more runs in a game this season, the most in baseball. The 1930 team holds the record for most 10+ runs allowed games in franchise history with 28. They have averaged a 10+ run game once every 5.5 contests. There are 14 games to go. If they keep the pace, they would finish with the record.
• Josh Bell was removed from the game in the fifth inning with left groin discomfort after pulling running to second base. His status is day-to-day.
• Let's keep piling it on. Contreras became first player to hit multiple home runs over 450 feet this season, according to Baseball Savant.
• One more: This was the fifth time the Pirates allowed five home runs in a game, tied with the Nationals and Diamondbacks for the most among National League clubs.
• Ok, just so it's not all doom and gloom: Pablo Reyes had a good game. He fell just a home run short of the cycle with two RBIs and two runs scored.
"The last two at-bats, I was ready for [a home run]," Reyes said. "I tried to hit a homer,it just did not happen."
Alas, he struck out and bounced out in his final two trips to the plate.
• Kevin Newman scored the first run of the game, going from first base to home ... on a walk.
Newman was off on a 3-2 pitch, and while Bryan Reynolds took it for ball four, Contreras still threw down to second. The throw sailed on him into center field, which allowed Newman to advance to third. Center fielder Albert Almora Jr.'s throw home was wide, and Newman to take yet another base on a bang-bang play.
Benny Hill music not included.
Newman went 3 for 5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
• The Pirates claimed LHP Williams Jerez off waivers from the Giants before the game. Kyle Crick was transferred to the 60-day IL to make a spot on the 40 man roster for him.
On Mar. 26, Jerez was traded by the Angels to the Giants in exchange for Chris Stratton. It seems safe to say the Pirates won that trade.
• Reynolds Watch: 0 for 3 with a walk, lowering his average to .323.
THE ESSENTIALS
• Boxscore
THE INJURIES
• Chris Archer (10-day IL, shoulder)
• Chris Stratton (10-day IL, right side inflammation)
• Gregory Polanco (60-day IL, shoulder)
• Lonnie Chisenhall (60-day IL, jamming on the saxophone all morning)
Here's the most recent full report.
THE SCHEDULE
Game two is tomorrow at 2:20 p.m.. James Marvel (0-1, 3.60) will try to get his first big league win against Kyle Hendrick (10-9, 3.33). First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. Eastern, and I'll be there.
THE COVERAGE
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