Pirates batters awoke happy men in Arlington, Texas, a year ago today. The team had won 10 of its previous 12 games, improving to 28-19, and was doing so with one of the best offenses in the National League. New arrival John Jaso did not let the effort required to learn to play first base affect his hitting. He entered the series opener against the Rangers hitting .303 with a .371 on-base percentage and a .447 slugging percentage.
There must be a better cliché than ‘what a difference a year makes,’ but man, is it apropos.
Through nearly two months, the Pirates rank among the bottom-feeders in most offensive categories.