Even the rain works against struggling Pirates

ATLANTA— Pirates manager Clint Hurdle often says that the real test of a man and his character is how he handles adversity. Hurdle and the Pirates are stuck in a seven-game losing streak and are 6-18 in their past 24 games after getting swept in a four-game series by the Atlanta Braves.

Let’s take a look at what we learned and what’s next for the Pirates.

1. The Braves and Pirates are the embodiment of teams going in opposite directions. Other than the 13-7 loss Monday night, the games were close with the Pirates losing by a combined four runs in the next three games. The Pirates fought back from deficits but the Braves found ways to finish and the Pirates could not. Even Mother Nature was on the Braves’ side. Tuesday the Pirates were down by two with the top of the order coming up. Then, rain prevented the Pirates from getting their last at-bat. Who knows if the Pirates could have scored the tying or goahead runs. But it was a lucky break for the Braves. It’s often the little things that make a big difference for teams on a seven-game winning streak with 40 wins and teams with 38 losses and a seven-game losing streak.

2. Neither the Braves nor any other team has had to deal with as many injuries as the Pirates have this season. The Pirates already had a relatively thin margin for error at full strength. Now with three of their five original starting pitchers down, it becomes harder to see a path to success for the Pirates.

3. I’ll call myself to the carpet now. I believed that the Pirates would win 89 games and challenge for the division title. The rationale was the offense would be better than a lot of people thought, and pitching would guide the way. I was half right. The Pirates hitters have 120 hits in their past 435 at-bats this month which is the best in the National League. The Pirates have scored 123 runs in their 22 games since May 23 for an average of 5.85 runs per game. The pitching hasn’t kept up, with a 6.56 ERA in the past 28 games. There still might be an outside chance for a turnaround if Trevor Williams and Jordan Lyles can get back in the rotation soon. But it doesn’t look good right now.

4. A glimmer hope came with the bullpen’s performance the past couple of days. Geoff Hartlieb and Dovydas Neverauskas pitched two scoreless innings each Thursday. The relievers kept the Pirates in the game, and the team had the go-ahead run at the plate in the ninth. The Pirates needed them to cover four innings, and they did.

5. Kevin Newman has been on a roll. Newman is on a six-game hitting streak and is a lot more comfortable at shortstop. Newman’s struggles were well-documented last season. This year, he’s batting .319 and is second to Bryan Reynolds among National League rookies. Newman appears more confident and is keeping weight on. He’s continued to work with the team nutritionists and his wife to keep him hydrated and refreshed while earning more playing time and the chance to prove he can be an everyday shortstop.

6. Starling Marte drove in Reynolds in the ninth to bring the Pirates within one run Thursday. Marte hit a big home run the night before. The move to the third spot in the lineup is paying off as Marte is hitting .372 with four doubles, five home runs, and 13 RBIs since making the switch May 25. As much as Marte can frustrate fans, he can also dazzle. Be careful what you ask for if you’re calling for the team to trade him.