If you would have told me that Johan Oviedo would throw a complete game shutout on Monday night, I would have called you a liar. However, that is exactly what he would do in game one of a three game series against the Kansas City Royals. Oviedo would give up just two hits, while striking out five and walking two.
The Pittsburgh Pirates grabbed the lead in the second inning when Endy Rodriguez scored on an Alfonso Rivas groundout. They would plate another run in the third when Ke’Bryan Hayes hit an RBI double to left. In the seventh, Andrew McCutchen hit an RBI single to left center and that was followed by Joshua Palacios hitting an RBI single to right center. The final run of the game came in the eighth on a Rivas double to left.
Kansas City starter Zack Greinke has had an awful year, but was decent tonight. He allowed two runs on six hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Tucker Davidson replaced him over the next 1.1 innings, walking a batter and striking out two. The seventh belonged to Taylor Hearn who was tagged for two runs on four hits. Jackson Kowar allowed one run on two hits with a strikeout in the eighth, before Carlos Hernandez gave up a walk while pitching a scoreless ninth.
Not only was it great to see a Pittsburgh starter throw a complete game shutout, but it was nice that Manager Derek Shelton kept him in while throwing 112 pitches. Plus, it saved the arms of the bullpen for one night. Game two of this three game series will take place Tuesday night at 8:10pm. It is yet to be determined who will start for the Pirates, but the Royals are scheduled to send Cole Ragans to the bump.
Record vs. Royals: 1-0
Record vs. American League: 16-25
Record on the Road: 27-37
Overall Record: 59-73
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
