Don Kelly Makes Feelings Clear On Bullpen Blowing Game originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Pirates suffered a disappointing 8-3 loss at home to the Miami Marlins in the series opener on Friday.
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Braxton Ashcraft started the game for the Pirates as he was solid as he went five innings, allowing two runs on five hits, while striking out five. Yet, the Pirates bullpen struggled as Wilber Dotel allowed four runs in 1.2 innings, and Antwone Kelly allowed two runs in 2.1 innings.
It was a frustrating loss for the Pirates, and manager Don Kelly knows Dotel has to be better, especially with his command after issuing three walks.
“It’s tough,” Kelly said postgame on Friday of relying on the young arms. “Dotel was so good the first few outings. The last couple haven’t been as good as the first few were. We just need to find a way. I think it’s the free passes. We need to limit the walks.”
Dotel even knows he has to be better than he was on Friday and as of late.
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“It had some effect on the outing, actually being behind in counts and walking guys,” Dotel said through translator Stephen Morales. “Behind in counts, you can always come back and get hitters; definitely the walks will hurt you, and it affected me a little bit.”
With the loss to the Marlins in the series opener, the Pirates fell to 35-35 on the season and are one game back of a Wild Card spot.
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