Giants 13 – Pirates 10

Somehow in the middle of a gigantic series and at the stage of the season where the Pirates’ postseason is right now, Clint Hurdle decided the rotation needed stretched out and Clay Holmes was handed the ball against the Giants on Friday night.

It went as expected.

Holmes was rocked in a 13-10 loss to the Giants.

Making his third career start, Holmes was tagged for seven runs in 2 2/3 innings. He walked four batters in the disastrous outing.

Pittsburgh fell behind 10-2 after four innings before making things close late.

This game was lost prior to first pitch as the organization continues to live in a world where they’re operating as if it’s May and not August.

The Pirates with the loss are now 5 games out of a wildcard spot. Some nights with the way they attack their lineups, you’d think they were the Boston Red Sox and chasing 116 wins.

This philosophy of resting guys, dressing ‘Sunday Lineups’ a couple times a week and having the likes of Clay Holmes, Casey Sadler getting opportunities in key situations is maddening.

With six teams ahead of them in the wild card standings, Hurdle needs to adopt a new philosophy of going down the right way.

The clock is ticking on hanging around in the race.