Despite a strong start, key Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Justin Lawrence's continued struggles are costing them.
Sean Lawrence feels like he is holding the Pittsburgh Pirates back.
Though the Pirates are off to a 9-6 start and lead the National League Central following eight straight losing seasons, Lawrence believes their record would be better if not for his poor performance. Give the right-handed reliever points for being honest.
Lawrence struggled again on Sunday. He gave up the tying runs and allowed runs to score for a fourth straight appearance. The Cubs rallied from a 5-0 deficit, beat Pittsburgh 7-6, and salvaged the finale of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.
The Pirates return home on Monday night. They will open a four-game series against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park. Reigning National Cy Young winner Paul Skenes (2-1, 5.25) will start for the Pirates against Cade Cavalli (0-0, 2.51).
Lawrence entered Sunday’s game to start the eighth inning with Pittsburgh leading 6-4. He walked leadoff man Seiya Suzuki. Lawrence then struck out Carson Kelly and Pete Crow-Armstrong. Dansby Swanson kept the inning alive by drawing a walk.
Hitless in his previous 30 at-bats, Michael Busch lined an RBI single to left. Bryan Reynolds then threw wildly, allowing the tying run to score.
Kelly hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning off Jose Urquidy, giving the Cubs the win and sending the Pirates to their third loss in the last five games.
Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly and pitching coach Bill Murphy trust Lawrence, their fourth bullpen option for high-leverage spots behind Dennis Santana, Gregory Soto, and Isaac Mattson.
Lawrence has allowed eight runs (six earned) in 3 2/3 innings over his last four outings, raising his season ERA to 9.82 through eight games.
"We're playing really good baseball right now, and now feels like not the first time that I've kind of messed up our momentum,” Lawrence told reporters after the game. “I've never played on a team of this caliber before. I've never had a coach like Bill, who believes in me the way he does, DK, everybody.
“You talk about all the additions and stuff that we made for this team, and how I was supposed to be a big part of that. I get it, it's early, but if I do what I'm supposed to be doing, I think our record's even better. Just letting guys down right now.”
Kelly says the Pirates’ belief in Lawrence has not been diminished by his recent struggles.
"With Justin, nobody feels worse than he does right now, what he’s going through,” Kelly said. “Looking back at his season last year, to have a 0.51 ERA and do what he did, we know he’s capable of doing that. He’s going to get some big outs for us this year. Just not feeling it right now."
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