Notes: Mensamens Week; Bucs '24 HoF Announced; Bae Back, Jack Sent Down, Moves & Injuries...

The staff is set...now for the pen.

G-Men Come Callin': Monday was an off day. The Giants opened their PNC set on Tuesday night, with the big sidebar story being the 2024 Pirates HoF class (see below). As for the main event, the Bucs were down, 6-2, going into the ninth and had pretty much sleepwalked when suddenly the alarm went off. They tied it up in regulation, and Nick Gonzales' 10th-inning, two-out single through the box scored Michael Taylor to give Pittsburgh a 7-6 win; it was Nicky G's first MLB walk-off hit. Oneil Cruz was getting his cuts; he became the first Statcast-verified guy to hit two balls 120 MPH+ and a third 115 MPH+ in the same game. The Giants turned the tables the next night, coming back from a 5-0 deficit built on Bryan Reynold's grand slam, tying the game with two outs in the ninth and then running away with it in the 10th, 9-5. Paul Skenes started the matinee rubber match and left after seven with a 5-1 lead; the bullpen was up to its old tricks again and lost it, 7-6. Joey Bart hit a grand slam (his first) that provided the bulk of the Bucco offense.

Joey Bart - 2024 Pirates image

Bravos Finish PNC's Week: Nick Gonzales had four RBI, Jared Triolo homered, Bailey Falter went seven strong and the Bucs rolled in the kickoff match, 11-5. Saturday's game was rain delayed but still special as it honored the '79 Bucs and in particular Dave Parker, whose bobblehead was the day's giveaway. Mitch Keller was strong and took it into the 7th, as the Pirates took a 4-1 win. Ji Hwan Bae scored twice and drove home a run. In the rubber match, Martin Perez left in the third inning with a leg injury; the bullpen came on and did its usual. The Bucs lost, 8-1.

The Bucs are off today and will travel to Motown for a pair of contests at Comerica Park, take another day off and then open a three-game set against Toronto on Friday.

2024 Pirates Hall of Fame: C Manny Sanguillen, Manager Jim Leyland and OF Barry Bonds were the 2024 selections for the Pirates Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony is set for Saturday, August 24, at PNC Park before the Pirates take on the Reds. 

Moves/Injuries:

• The club recalled UT Ji Hwan Bae and optioned RHP Ryder Ryan back to Indy for the third time this season; five is the max without risking him to a claim. Being a man short in the bullpen was highlighted when the Pirates then lost back-to-back games while jugglin' available bodies.

Ji Hwan Bae - 2024 Topps

• The Pirates optioned struggling OF Jack Suwinski (.174/4/13) to Indy and recalled LHP Jose Hernandez.
• Recently recalled C Yasmani Grandal was removed from Tuesday's game with a sore groin. The next day, they brought up C Grant Koch as taxi squad insurance. Joey Bart got tossed from Thursday's game and Grandal took his place, then started Friday night, so it looks like a bullet dodged. But on Sunday, Bart was pulled after injuring his thumb, so we'll see what develops from that...we can just hear Roseanne Roseannadanna now.
• 3B Ke'bryan Hayes (back) began full baseball activities.
• C Jason Delay (knee) was sent to Florida for knee rehab (torn meniscus surgery). He worked some bullpen sessions and then was assigned to Bradenton for a quick pit stop on the way to an Indy rehab. 
• LHP Martín Pérez was taken out of Sunday's game after three innings due to an injury to his left groin; he apparently tweaked it while covering first base.
• Lefties starter Marcos Gonzales (forearm) and reliever Ryan Borucki (wrist) have not begun throwing yet.
• Altoona RHP Bubba Chandler (forearm) threw a side session, so hopefully rest will be the cure for his sore forearm. He's the Bucs #3 Prospect per MLB.com.

Notes: 

• OF Bryan Reynolds collected his 700th MLB hit on Wednesday.
• The Pirates 11 runs scored on Friday was their season high.
• LHP Eric Lauer, who opted out of his Pirates contract, inked a minor league deal with the Astros. This contract also includes opt-out dates on July 1 and August 1.