Same old song and dance for Shelby Miller in loss to Pirates

Shelby Miller hadn’t made it past the sixth inning all season entering Tuesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Three batters into the game, it was clear the same old song and dance would continue for Miller.

Miller lasted five innings this time, giving up six earned runs on eight hits and four walks, taking his sixth loss of the season in the Arizona Diamondbacks 12-1 defeat.

The tone was set right away when the Pirates came to the plate with Miller on the mound. Lead-off man John Jaso walked and that was followed by an Andrew McCutchen single. Then Gregory Polanco blasted a home run to right field. Three batters, three men reached base, three runs.

The damage wasn’t over yet.

In the third inning, after getting the first two men out, Starling Marte singled off of Miller, who then walked Josh Harrison. Jordy Mercer doubled both men home, making it 5-0 Pirates.

The Diamondbacks decided to intentionally walk Chris Stewart in order to bring up the pitcher and get out of the inning, but Francisco Liriano singled to left to plate the sixth run, seemingly putting the game out of reach.

Although the Diamondbacks were unable to give Miller any run support while he was in there, the offense couldn’t be blamed for another disappointing Miller start.

He is now 1-6 on the season in his 10 games started, losing his third straight decision in a row. It marks his longest losing streak on the season, and it is the first time in Miller’s career that he hasn’t owned a winning record after his first 10 starts to a season.

This also marks the first time Miller has failed to pitch past the sixth inning in any one of his first 10 starts to a season. His 7.09 ERA is now nearly double that of his highest season-finishing 3.74 ERA in 2014 for the Atlanta Braves.

The Diamondbacks are now 3-7 on the year in games that Miller starts.