Today's Game: Adam Frazier singled off Matt Shoemaker's second pitch and Phil Evans flared another on the next toss. Two lobs later, Bryan Reynolds softly doubled in the game's first run. Colin Moran was a bit more leisurely, but his sac fly made it 2-0. Wil Crowe gave up back-to-back singles on 1-2 pitches to put Twinkies on the corners, and a one-out rap made it 2-1. A liner back to the box turned into a DP to close it. The Pirates went 1-2-3 in the second. The Twins opened with an infield knock (a challenge overturned the original out call; it was bang-bang, but the right decision) and a one-down walk, but Crowe worked out of that pickle. The Pirates drew a two-gone walk in the third to show for their efforts. The heart of Minny's lineup went down in order despite a couple of well-stroked balls. Gregory Polanco singled with two gone in the fourth and that was it. Jorge Polanco drew a nine-pitch walk with an out, managing nothing more than running up Crowe's pitch count, which is now at 81.
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| Ho hum...three more hits - image Pittsburgh Pirates |
Fraze singled with an out in the fifth, then got picked off as Pittsburgh put up another zero. Clay Holmes came on and gave up a walk in an otherwise clean frame. Redbeard singled with an out in the sixth, and Cody Stashak took the ball and doused the flame. After getting the first out, Holmes was replaced by Sam Howard who handily collected the next two. El Coffee opened the seventh with a knock and Jake Stallings doubled him to third. Kevin Newman singled Gregory home and Caleb Thielbar was beckoned. Fraze fell behind 0-2, fought the count full and then singled in another run, leaving Bucs on the corners. B-Rey doubled in K-Man to make it 5-1 before the party ended. Chris Stratton struck out a pair before Willians Astudillo singled on an ankle-high slider; he bangs bad pitches ala J-Hay. That was followed by another knock, then Chris completed the hat trick by fanning Josh Donaldson.
Jorge Alcala climbed the hill in the eighth and was taken deep by Polanco. Nelson Cruz, who had already pounded a couple of loud outs, greeted Stratton with a solo shot before Chris settled in to retire the next three hitters. In the ninth, Alcala whiffed the side; he punched out five in his two frames. David Bednar scaled the bump and put it away with two K and a bouncer. Raise it.
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| David Bednar getting his feet wet in the ninth inning - 2021 photo Pirates |
Well, hello .500. Crowe labored but did his job, the bullpen was again magnifico, and the Pirates attack was well balanced today. The guys went 6-3 on the road trip, winning all three series, and will have a well-deserved play day tomorrow.
Notes:
- Gregory Polanco had three hits, as did Adam Frazier. Bryan Reynolds also reached three times with two doubles and a walk.
- Chris Stratton & Dave Bednar struck out six in three innings; the other three Bucco hurlers fanned five in six frames.
- OF Ka'ai Tom will join the team in Pittsburgh.
- CF Anthony Alford cleared waivers and is expected to join the alt camp squad.
- The minor league season is set to start on May 4th and it'll be interesting to see where the kids get assigned (AAA, AA, Hi A & Lo A, plus the draft, indie and college leagues later). Ben Cherington said on his radio show that the Pirates are pretty close to making their final MiLB roster decisions. He also refused to spill the beans on the #1 draft pick, just saying that several players are under consideration.
Tomorrow's Game: The Pirates have an off day, then take on the KC Royals at PNC Park to open a quickie two-team (Cards next), five-game homestand.
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