4/1/23- By Craig W. Toth – @BucsBasement on Twitter
As soon as Pirates Fans saw their old friend Kevin Newman in the lineup for Cincinnati in the 5-hole, they had to know he was going to do some damage against his former Ball Club. Especially after numerous comments were made in jest concerning him being used as the Designated Hitter.
Newman wasted no time by following up a Jonathan India homer, with a two-run homer of his own in the bottom of the first; off Pittsburgh starter Rich Hill, in his Regular Season Debut in a Pirates Uniform.
This would be all the Reds would need on the day, but took the opportunity to tag on 3 more runs, as pinch hitter Jake Fraley took Pirates Reliever Chase DeJong deep in the Bottom of the 6th.
News & Notes
- After surrendering 3 runs on 3 hits in the first inning, Dick Mountain settled down over the next four innings. His final line on the day: 5IP/3H/3ER/2BB/7K/2HR.
- Oneil Cruz definitely has a different/more patient approach at the plate this season; often taking what pitchers give him. In the Opener it was punching the ball to the outfield for a sacrifice fly. In this one it was pulling a pitch for a seeing eye single to get the Pirates within in one, back in the Top of the 3rd.
- Rodolfo Castro and Ji-hwan Bae combined for an 0 for 7 day, with 5 strikeouts. In Spring Training these guys were in battle for 2nd Base…today they both struggled badly.
- Ke’Bryan Hayes got his first hit of the season. A well struck opposite field double off Reds Starter, Nick Lodolo.
- Lodolo picked up the win for the Red Stockings on 109 pitches, with a line of 5IP/7H/2R/2ER/2BB/9K.
The Pirates and the Reds will run things back tomorrow, Sunday April 2nd at 1:40 PM from Great American Ballpark, in a series rubber-match. For Pittsburgh Vince Velasquez will toe the rubber, against Graham Ashcraft for Cincinnati.
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