Walks a 'huge factor' as Pirates continue downward spiral

Brandon Crawford hits an RBI double in the ninth inning of the Pirates' 7-5 loss to the Giants on Saturday at PNC Park.The Pirates have lost 11 of their last 12 games, the most recent being Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Giants. But this wasn't even one of those games that permitted you to mentally check out in the first hour. The Pirates did just enough to drag you along for nearly four hours, only to lose yet again.

Ever since the remarkable sweep of the Dodgers in Los Angeles -- which feels like a lifetime ago -- the only win the Pirates have mustered was a 6-4 victory in St. Louis on Wednesday. And, in order to secure that win, Bryan Reynolds had to do his best 2021 impression and David…