4/23/23- By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter
Coming off a series in Colorado where the bats posted 33 runs, the offense has been notably quieter during the home series versus Cincinnati. In its place, the pitching has been ELITE!
Following the 11 game quality start stretch ending yesterday, Vince Velasquez posted his best start of the season: 7 innings, 2 hits (both singles), 2 walks, 0 runs and 10 strikeouts over 100 pitches (64 for strikes)
Ke’Bryan Hayes led off the game with a double to center. Tucupita Marcano followed with a bloop single to left and Andrew McCutchen grounded sharply into a double play, which scored Hayes.
That was all the offense the Bucs would get and all they would need as Velasquez, Colin Holderman and David Bednar shut down the Reds bats to finish up the sweep.
Jack Suwinski would double in Carlos Santana in the 8th to add onto the lead.
News & Notes
- Velasquez generated 15 swings-and-misses, mostly behind his sweeping slider
- Santana stole 2nd in the 8th inning. It was his first stolen base since 2021.
- Suwinski walked twice and stole two bases.
- Career minor-leaguer Drew Maggi was called up prior to the game when Bryan Reynolds was placed on Bereavement List. Maggi has played 1,155 minor league games prior to this call-up.
- Bednar is currently leading all of baseball in saves after securing his 8th save today
- The 7-game win streak is their longest since July 2018, when they won 11 in a row
- Pirates are off to their best start in 31 years! The 1992 Pirates also started 16-7 through their first 23 games.
The Pirates have the day off tomorrow before hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, First pitch is scheduled for 6:35PM. Let’s Go Bucs!
Inside The Bucs Basement 