Notes: Sputtering Home; Yorke Up; Skenes Scene, Oneil 20/20

The final countdown begins...

The week started in Redbird country with a four game set. They dropped the opener, 4-0,  and the scoring drought continued for game 2 in a 3-1 loss. The third game was just as ugly despite Billy Cook's first MLB homer (a 3-run shot) as the Bucs fell, 10-5. The Pirates did just enough of everything to salvage the finale, 3-2.

Then it was on to a three-gamer at Cincy. Mitch Keller got shredded, 8-3. Then Jared Jones got bombed, 7-1. Paul Skenes put an end to it as the Pirates took the finale, 2-0. Oneil Cruz and Nick Yorke (his first MLB bomb) solo shots were the difference.

Paul Skenes - 2024 Pirates image

Final week's menu: A three-game home set v the Brew Crew and the season-ender at NY with a three-game series against the Yankees.

Moves/Injuries:

• RHP Jake Woodford was called up to make Wednesday's start. RHP Kyle Nicolas was placed on the 15-day IL (left oblique strain) and make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Ben Heller was transferred to the 60-day IL. Nicolas and Heller are done for the season. Jake made his start, was DFA'ed the next day and replaced by Indy RHP Isaac Mattson (5-1/3.15, 76 K in 60 IP). Isaac pitched for Pitt (2015-17) and the Washington Wild Things (2022).
• Nick Yorke (he's played 2B, SS and the OF this year) was called up from Indy after hitting .355 since coming from Boston. IF Alika Williams (.207) was optioned to Indy. Yorke made his MLB debut Monday in St. Louis, becoming the 53rd different Pirate to appear in a game this year. And no, not even close - the record is 66 players in 2022 (S/O to MLB's Alex Stumpf).
• C Endy Rodriguez was taken out of his Friday rehab game at Indy with arm soreness. The Bucs may have dodged a bullet; further testing revealed no structural damage and the team believes it's just arm fatigue.

Stuff: 

• Paul Skenes is the first pitcher in the modern era with 150+ strikeouts (167 K) and an ERA under 2.00 (1.99) in his first 22 career games.
• Oneil Cruz joined the Pirates 20/20 club on Friday; Starling Marte in 2019 was the last Bucco to do the deed.

Oneil Cruz - 20/20 graphic MLB.com

• H2P - Isaac Mattson became the fourth player to play for both Pitt and the Pirates, joining RHP Steve Swetonic, IF Ken Macha and RHP Doc Medich. 
• Bryan Reynolds is starting to work some at first base. He's not expected to see any action there this season - there are just 11 games left - but seeing if he can handle the spot is another move looking at '25 per Oneil Cruz's shift to CF. 
• LHP Dominic Perachi, 23, has been named to the South Atlantic League All-Star Team. Perachi slashed 6-3/2.08 for the Hi-A Greensboro 'Hoppers.
• OF/1B/DH Esmerlyn Valdez, 20, was named to the Class A Florida State League All-Star Team. He slashed .226/21/61 with a .360 OBP & 133 K in 435 AB.
• And still kings of the hill: On Wednesday, the Brewers clinched their second straight Central title, the third in the last four years, and the sixth time they've qualified for the playoffs in the past seven seasons. They're the first team to claim a postseason berth this year.
• RHP Chad Kuhl was DFA'ed by the White Sox. He put together a line of 0-2-1/5.01 working a variety of roles for Chicago.
• Houston OF Ben Gamel (Pirates 2020-21) broke his left fibula running into a wall, and it will very  likely cost him a spot on the 'Stros playoff roster.