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Orioles Outlasted by Pirates in Error-Plagued Showdown at PNC Park

The Baltimore Orioles, with a record of 5-4, faced off against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who held an 8-2 record. The final score was 3-2 in favor of the home team.


Apr 7, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Marco Gonzales (27) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In what turned out to be a nail-biting encounter at PNC Park, the Orioles were unable to capitalize on their early game momentum. Despite out-hitting the Pirates six to seven, defensive missteps proved costly for Baltimore. The Orioles' scoring was confined to the fourth inning when they pushed across two runs amidst three hits and capitalized on one of Pittsburgh's errors. However, two errors committed by Baltimore throughout the game would ultimately undermine their efforts.


Baltimore's hitters struggled overall with a batting average of .188 and an on-base percentage (OBP) also at .188 for this game. They left six runners on base (LOB), which included leaving two in scoring position with two outs. Their slugging percentage stood at .281 with three extra-base hits contributing to that figure but no home runs to boost their total bases which tallied up to nine.


Apr 7, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Yennier Cano (78) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

On defense, despite ten assists across nine innings indicating some level of efficiency in fielding plays, those crucial two throwing errors played a significant role in shaping the outcome of this contest as they led directly to unearned runs for Pittsburgh.


The pitching staff had mixed results; while starters managed an earned run average (ERA) of 0.0 over seven innings pitched and kept their walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) low at 0.7143, it was not enough as bullpen pitchers allowed two runs over just 1.2 innings with a WHIP soaring up to 1.8 due largely in part because they gave up one walk and allowed two hits during that span.


Apr 7, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Edward Olivares (38) drives in the game winning runs against the Baltimore Orioles during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

For Pittsburgh's side, Jose Hernandez secured his first win while Yennier Cano suffered his first loss along with being charged with a blown save after failing to hold onto Baltimore's lead late into the game.


As fans look ahead following this tough outing against Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park under partly cloudy skies and mild temperatures around 57 degrees Fahrenheit during playtime from start time through its duration lasting just over two hours; attention now turns towards Boston where Orioles will next face Red Sox at Fenway Park scheduled for April 9th starting promptly at 6:10 PM local time broadcasted live via NESN network ensuring supporters won't miss any action from this upcoming matchup between these storied franchises within Major League Baseball’s Eastern Division landscape.

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