There has been a lot of excitement surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates and their young crop of talent that has been added to the team over the recent weeks. That buzz continued on Tuesday night as they took game two of this four game series against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park by the final of 7-1. Just like Monday night, the Young Bucs were at the center of the action.
Pittsburgh started the scoring in the first on a sac fly by Bryan Reynolds that scored Ke’Bryan Hayes. That offense would continue in the second when catcher Michael Perez launched a solo home run to right center field. Things really opened up in the third, that is when the Pirates would put up a three spot.
Daniel Vogelbach hit an RBI single to right, which scored Reynolds. Oneil Cruz drove in Jack Suwinski on a single to right. The final run came when Vogelbach scored from third on a throwing error by Chicago catcher Wilson Contreras. Four of these five runs were charged to Cubs starter Matt Swarmer. He would pitch four innings on the night, allowing five hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
Roansy Contreras pitched five innings for the Pirates. During that time, he allowed one run on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks. That lone run came in the fourth on a Patrick Wisdom solo homer to center. Anthony Banda struck out two batters and allowed one hit during his two innings on the mound. Chris Stratton allowed a hit while pitching the eighth, and Yerry De Los Santos struck out a batter in the ninth.
The Pittsburgh offense would continue to put up insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Vogelbach drove in Suwinski with a double to center off of relief pitcher Brandon Hughes. One inning later Bligh Madris hit his first ever Major League home run to right center field off of Mark Leiter Jr.
It is exciting to see these young ball players produce at the highest level of baseball. Sure, they will have moments that make you scratch your head, but if they learn from those mistakes this year it should make for smooth sailing in the upcoming seasons. Another new face will be on the mound tomorrow night, as Jerad Eikhoff will make his debut in a Pirates uniform. He has spent parts of six seasons in the big leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.
Record vs. Cubs: 7-4
Record vs. N.L. Central: 12-22
Record at Home: 16-19
Overall Record: 28-39
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
