The Reds pitcher plunked a Pirate at the start of the game -- they warned both benches -- and the Pirates manager got ejected for coming out and yelling at the ump for warning his bench.
The Pirates hit no one.
They lost 5-4 -- McCutchen (who was batting .372 coming into this game) went 0-for-4 with 2 strikeouts one day after taking a 102 mph fastball off the back of his neck.
Wins and losses come a dime a dozen both ways -- you can't ever accept someone bullying you, intimidating you, and taking an edge on you.
The Pirates wasted an opportunity for justifiable ruthlessness and a chance to send everyone a clear message 'try to bully us, and we will show you a level of violence you will find unpleasant to deal with and uncomfortable to try and match tit for tat'
Instead, they lost a one-run game and by far the best player they have had a terrible game at the plate.
|