Morning Rundown: Pirates win series against Orioles on another walk-off hit
Pirates take two of three against Orioles, with both wins coming on walk-off fashion.
The Pittsburgh Pirates won their first series at home against the Baltimore Orioles, both of which were walk-offs.
Sunday was a little more untraditional, as an error by Gunnar Henderson allowed two runs to score, giving them the win.
Henry Davis hit a sacrifice fly that scored Edward Olivares in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the Orioles lead in half after jumping out in front 2-0.
Olivares hit the grounder to Henderson, which eventually scored both Jack Suwinski and Connor Joe, giving the Pirates the win and improving their record to 8-2.
After a rough spring, Marco Gonzales has been solid in his first two starts of the season. In his home debut, he pitched six innings of two-run ball, allowing five hits and no walks while striking out four.
The Pirates have a quick two-game series against the Detroit Tigers on Monday and Tuesday before an off day that leads into six straight-on-the-road games against the Phillies and Mets.
Mitch Keller and Martin Perez are the two expected starters against the Tigers.
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded right-handed pitcher Colin Selby to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Connor Oliver.
Selby was designated for assignment on April 2 to make room on the 40-man roster for Joey Bart. A 16th-round pick back in 2018, Selby put up strong strikeout numbers but struggled with his control.
Heading to Pittsburgh, Oliver was a 17th-round pick in this past draft out of Miami (Ohio) University. He struck out 102 batters in 78.2 innings pitched last year, posting double digits in strikeouts in four consecutive games.
Oliver pitched one inning in the complex league last year and hadn’t been assigned to an affiliate prior to the trade. According to the Pirates transaction log, he start in Low-A with the Marauders.
Other transactions in the system.
Ji-Hwan Bae started his rehab assignment in Bradenton on Sunday, picking up a pair of hits and driving in a run for the Marauders.
Jose Hernandez picked up the win on Sunday, he was recalled after Ryan Borucki was placed on the Injured List.
The Bradenton Marauders placed Sergio Campana on the 7-day Injured List and promoted right-handed pitcher Joaquin Tejada to take his place.
Chris Gau was sent from the Altoona Curve to the Indianapolis Indians.
Top Exit Velocity
Jack Suwinski - PIT - 109.6 MPH - Single
Jack Herman - BRD - 108.6 MPH - Double
Nick Gonzales - IND - 105.7 MPH - Forceout
Bryan Reynolds - PIT - 105.4 MPH - Flyout
Shalin Polanco - BRD - 105.4 MPH - Groundout
Top Pitch Velocity
Khristian Curtis - BRD - 97.5 MPH
Colin Holderman - IND - 97.4 MPH
Khristian Curtis - BRD - 97.2 MPH
Colin Holderman - IND - 97.2 MPH
Khristian Curtis - BRD - 97.1 MPH
Most Whiffs (Whiff%)
Marco Gonzales - PIT - 8 (20%)
Jose Hernandez - PIT - 6 (60%)
Landon Tomkins - BRD - 6 (55%)
Cam Alldred - IND - 6 (33%)
Colin Holderman - IND - 4 (67%)
Indianapolis Indians - 2 vs Memphis Red Birds - 3
Top Hitter - Nick Gonzales: 3-4, BB, 2B
Top Pitcher - Cam Alldred: 4 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Altoona Curve - 0 vs Akron RubberDucks - 1
Top Hitter - Aaron Shackelford: 2-4
Top Pitcher - Valentin Linarez: 2 IP, H, ER, 5 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 7 vs Greenville Drive - 2
Top Hitter - Jack Brannigan: 2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, HR, SB
Top Pitchers - Dominic Perachi: W, 3.2 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K
Bradenton Marauders - 4 vs Clearwater Threshers - 0
Top Hitter - Ji-Hwan Bae: 2-3, 2B, RBI
Top Pitcher - Landon Tomkins: SV, 2 IP, 4 K
8 down. 73 to go.
Pirates win 3-2, are in first place and have the best record in baseball.
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That was good baseball between two good teams. In a game where above average defense and quality pitching kept runs at a premium, it was ironic that the game turned in the bottom of the ninth on what nearly was a stellar, game-ending double play... but turned out to be a two run force out.
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Baseball. It is delicious. Belly up to the bar, friends, it's time to spread some CARROTS ON THE HOUSE!!!!
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@> ONE for Eddy O, who went 2 for 4 with a run and an rbi.
@> @> TWO for "The Bullpen" for three innings of one run ball. Accepting one carrot each today will be Senor Contreras and J. Hernandez for the win.
@>@>@> And Three for M. Gonzales for pitching pretty darn good. 6 innings, 2 runs on 5 hits and, crucially, ZERO bases on balls.
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If Pitch Keller finds his mojo... dude... we're in a good place.
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"What's up, Doc?"
"Shhhh! There's a wabbit down there. And I'm tryin' to catch 'im."
-Wabbit
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The next time your Pirates kick a ball to loose one in the ninth just remember: it isn’t really a loss if it’s from dumb/bad luck…
Screw that. This was a terrific win because we stayed in it until the option came up to win it. If you want “fair” go into track.