Gameday 80: Braxton Ashcraft makes first major league start
Braxton Ashcraft vs Chad Patrick
The Pittsburgh Pirates were able to get a rare offensive outburst to stave off a sweep against the Texas Rangers.
Bryan Reynolds, Spencer Horwitz, and Tommy Pham all registered three hits. Horwitz, Pham, and Ke’Bryan Hayes drove in multiple runs.
It wasn’t pretty (five walks to one strikeout), but Bailey Falter did enough to get his sixth win of the season.
The Pirates will now head to Milwaukee for a three-game series against the Brewers. After the doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, the Pirates will turn to Braxton Ashcraft to make his first major league start.
It’ll more than likely be on the bullpen-style type of game. Chad Patrick will pitch for the Brewers.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 pm ET.
Pirates Lineup
CF - Oneil Cruz
DH - Andrew McCutchen
RF - Bryan Reynolds
2B - Nick Gonzales
C - Joey Bart
1B - Spencer Horwitz
3B - Ke’Bryan Hayes
LF - Tommy Pham
SS - Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Brewers Lineup
RF - Sal Frelick
CF - Jackson Chourio
DH - Christian Yelich
C - William Contreras
2B - Brice Turang
LF - Jackson Collin’s
3B - Caleb Durbin
1B - Jake Bauer
SS - Joey Ortiz
Pitching Matchup
PIT - Braxton Ashcraft (1-0, 1.54 ERA, 11.2 IP, 10 K)
MIL - Chad Patrick (3-7, 3.50 ERA, 79.2 IP, 76 K)
Yesterday’s Feature
Esmerlyn Valdez continues tear through South Atlantic League; Florentino Bradenton debut
Esmerlyn Valdez’s assault on the South Atlantic League continued on Saturday, hammering two more home runs, giving him 19 now on the season.
Today’s Feature
10 Observations: Dominican League looks, Esmerlyn Valdez, Zander Mueth
Murphy 6/16: A lot of attention goes to his power potential, so it’s easy to forget that Darell Morel is a good runner. He has a slightly open stance at the plate, and his swing seems to be a smooth operation. Morel is walking a good amount to start, and although he isn’t hitting for a high average, he’s getting to some power already.
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Off topic: I’m still absolutely heart broken about the Pacers losing last night. Mainly the how.
Losing Haliburton like that, I had to go to my office to literally collect myself I was so sick to my stomach. The way he started that game, he wasn’t leaving OKC without a win. He hit those first couple of 3s and you just felt it.
He’s the reason I became a Pacers fan and he literally left it all on the court in ways few can actually say they did.
My heart breaks for him.
Don’t get to be a sports fan too much anymore. That Pacers team is as much fun I’ve had as a sports fan in my entire life.
Nick Gonzales. Professional hitter of baseballs