Each time the Pirates play I hope for a win, but that feeling was even stronger for today’s game; partially because an old friend Trevor Williams was on the mound-if you listened to a second of my podcast Bucs In The Basement last season you know my feelings on him as a pitcher-but mostly because my boy Gary Morgan was there with his son to take in a Sunday Matinee at PNC Park. To be honest I wasn’t even jealous, my day to walk the Clemente Bridge and through the centerfield gates will come; I was happy he got to experience what we have been talking about for the length of our friendship. Fans in the stands cheering on the Pirates just hits different this year.
After I got past these initial emotions, I turned the MLB app, put my headphones on and listened intently as I drove down the Indiana and Ohio Turnpikes; and what a great listen it was as the Pirates gave Williams a hard time and almost broke the game wide open in the bottom of the second and third. After 3.1 innings, 75 pitches, 10 hits and 5 earned runs Trevor’s day was over thanks to many of his former teammates; including a 3 RBI day for his counterpart JT Brubaker.
With the ball in his hand, Brubaker was almost as locked in as he was with the bat. Aside from the run on his fastball causing two hit batsmen, JT had solid command, which resulted in only 1 walk, 4 strike outs, 4 hits and 1 earned run on 74 pitches across 5.1 innings. Follow Brubaker’s solid outing the Pirates Bullpen-Sam Howard, Chris Stratton, Kyle Crick and David Bednar-allowed only one more hit, didn’t walk anyone and struck four more Cubbies.
Pittsburgh would add two more runs, thanks to a Wilmer Difo laser shot in the 7th, to take the day 7-1, and their first series victory of the season.
News and Notes:
- Bryan Reynold collected 4 hits on the day, including a well placed shift breaking bunt in the bottom of the fourth.
- Phillip Evan’s continues to take advantage of the opportunity afforded to him in Ke’Bryan Hayes’ absence, going 2 for 5. Also if you haven’t please go read Gary’s article on Evans from earlier today.
Phillip Evans Should Not be a Casualty of Hayes’ Return to Action
- Dustin Fowler hadn’t been completely running away with the centerfield competition, but he did have a solid day offensively and with the glove on Sunday.
- Difo is going to make the decision difficult of who to DFA’d when Hayes returns. Extremely small sample size, but 4 for 11 with 2 doubles and a homer can’t be completely ignored.
- Like I said I didn’t get to see the game, however, I was a little concerned about the comments made about Colin Moran looking uncomfortable after his first swing in his final at bat.
The Pirates are back at it again tomorrow at PNC Park; welcoming in the San Diego Padres for a 4 game set. For Pittsburgh. Trevor Cahill (0-1, 15.75 ERA) against Yu Darvish (0-0, 4.22 ERA); looking for his first decision of the year in his third start in a Friars uniform.
Inside The Bucs Basement 