In going to Cincinnati, the Pirates took snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Jumping off to an early lead, things went downhill, rather quickly for the club, as the infield defense simply let them down. While on the surface that looks to be the story of the game, the real story of the game is that Steve Pearce left with a sprained ankle. If he were to stay out of the lineup a significant amount of time, it would mean that Jeff Clement will be manning first base. I never thought that I would say this, but we might miss Steve Pearce.
Pearce was on a bit of an offensive tear, as he was getting more and more starts mixed in the occasional Clement starts at first base. Unlike his many other trips to the big leagues, he was seemingly making the most of it. He had been batting, .276/.395/.414. It is pretty good production at first base. Granted there are no home runs, but considering the rest of the lineup lacks much power, this production from Pearce was more than enough.
If Pearce were to stay out of the lineup for any duration, we will more than likely be treated to watching the worst OPS of all National League first basemen in Jeff Clement take the field. With how 'well' Clement has been hitting, even the crappy Steve Pearce we have come to know would be better. Clement has 4 home runs, but has no plate discipline at all, walking 6 times and striking out 29 times. In addition, he has only a .184 average.
Even if Garrett Jones were to play first base in Pearce's absence, it is getting to the point that you cannot even justify the inclusion of Jeff Clement on the current major league roster. I would not give up on him just yet, but he needs to be playing everyday. Getting his swing back and working at first base. He simply does not have the time to do that in Pittsburgh.
One would have assumed that there would be plenty of growing pains with Jeff Clement this season, you just never quite thought that the bat would be that big of a pain. Learning a new position, sure that would take time, but for him to look as bad as he has at the plate, is quite something.
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