Gameday 8: Jared Jones and Bucco Bullet Train Arrive for Home Opener
Pirates kick-off their opening home series Friday afternoon
The Pittsburgh Pirates begin a five game home stand with a three game series against the Baltimore Orioles.
They come home after taking the third game and rubber match against the Washington Nationals on Thursday by a score of 7-4. An abbreviated one game losing streak was abruptly squashed by Martin Perez and the Pirates offense.
Kicking things off, the Pirates offense struck early against Josiah Gray, putting up four runs in the top of the first. They added another in the second inning, before the Nationals scored one of their own in the bottom of the second.
Martin Perez made quick work of the Nats, throwing 6.2 IP on 85 pitches and allowing only two earned runs. He kept the hitters off-balance with a five pitch mix, led by his sinker (35%) and cutter (27%). He generated 8 whiffs on 44 swings (18%), while adding 17 called strikes totaling a 29% called strike-whiff rate.
The Pirates offense managed to score 7 runs on 11 hits, with Bryan Reynolds and Michael A. Taylor adding doubles, and Connor Joe connecting for his first homerun of the year in the fifth inning.
Friday’s matchup couldn’t be anymore exciting, with the Pirates young hurler Jared Jones taking on one of the Orioles most electric pitchers, Grayson Rodriguez.
Pitching Matchup
Jared Jones: 1-0, 4.76 ERA, 43.5 K%, 8.7 BB%
Grayson Rodriguez: 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 40.9%, 4.5 BB%
Pirates Lineup
SS - Oneil Cruz
RF - Bryan Reynolds
3B - Ke’Bryan Hayes
LF - Jack Suwinski
DH - Andrew McCutchen
1B - Rowdy Tellez
C - Henry Davis
2B - Jared Triolo
CF - Michael A. Taylor
Orioles Lineup
SS - Gunnar Henderson
C - Adley Rutschman
RF - Anthony Santander
1B - Ryan Mountcastle
DH - Ryan O’Hearn
CF - Cedric Mullins
2B - Jordan Westburg
LF - Colton Cowser
3B - Ramon Urias
Yesterday’s Feature
Anthony Murphy had another rendition of his mailbag, touching on topics such as rising hitting prospects, Jackson Wolf, and Michael A. Taylor’s number change.
Today’s Feature
It was a busy day between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning in terms of articles. Rosters were finally released for the final three full-season affiliates, along with a feature on Paul Skenes by Ryan Palencer. Check out all the previews written by Wilbur, and then if you click on the Podcast tab above, the inaugural Bucs On Deck Podcast was released this morning with Anthony and Nola Jeffy’s thoughts.
Premium Article
Anthony breaks down Paul Skenes debut with Indianapolis, with Skenes set to make his second start this evening.
Young ace showdown lived up to it's hype
Mlod to Bradenton for rehab.