04/04/23 – By Ethan Smith (aka @mvp_ETHAN on Twitter
Gary is gonna start making me do these things everyday at this rate.
The Pittsburgh Pirates did not have the best opening weekend losing two of three to Cincinnati but they have bounced back in a big way taking the first two games and the series at Fenway Park.
Roansy Contreras got his first start of the season after representing the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, but not having the same Spring Training as his counterparts didn’t seem to phase him at all.
Contreras becomes the first Pirates starter to record a win this season, posting an outing consisting of 5 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 SO and blanking the Red Sox outside of Masataka Yoshida RBI in the first inning.
Dauri “Money” Moreta, Jose Hernandez, Colin Holderman and David Bednar would keep Boston off the board for the remainder of the game with Bednar picking up his third save in three chances.
Bryan Reynolds continued to torture the Reds Sox as well, going yard again at Fenway for his fourth of the season while adding a double and single.
Ji-hwan Bae also had an impressive outing, picking up his first big league home run as well as making a highlight catch off of Rafael Devers off the Green Monster to blank Devers in the hit column.
Andrew McCutchen continued his cycle of getting on base via the free pass, obtaining his sixth and seventh walks of the season.
The Pirates won in two very different ways against Boston in the first two games, moving to 3-2 on the season and looking for the series sweep at Fenway Park tomorrow afternoon with Mitch Keller facing Corey Kluber.
News & Notes
- Bryan Reynolds became the third Pirates player since 1960 w/ 4 HRs in his first five games of the season, joining Reggie Sanders(2003) and Willie Stargell(1971) – ESPN Stats and Info
- Ji-hwan Bae hits first big league HR to continue strong start to the season(also became just the fourth Korean born player to homer at Fenway Park)
- Roansy Contreras has 5 2/3 IP debut in 2023, surrendering three hits, one earned run and striking out two
- Dauri Moreta, Jose Hernandez, Colin Holderman and David Bednar blank the Red Sox in the final 4 1/3 innings
- Pirates win their first series of 2023
Inside The Bucs Basement 