If you are a fan of offense, then the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener was all that you could ask for. They opened a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox, and the two teams would combine for 22 runs on 30 hits. Pittsburgh would be the ones to come out on top, winning the game 13-9.
Scoring began in the top of the first when Andrew Vaughn gave Chicago a 1-0 lead on a ground out that scored Tim Anderson. The Pirates started scoring in the second, Carlos Santana hit a solo home run and that was followed up by a Ji Hwan Bae RBI double to right center to plate Connor Joe. The White Sox took the lead back in the fifth on two home runs. The first was a two-run shot by Luis Robert Jr. Later in the inning a two-run homer would be hit by Jake Burger.
Pittsburgh cut into the lead in the bottom half of the inning when Ke’Bryan Hayes drove in Bryan Reynolds on a double to center. The Pirates got back within a run when Oneil Cruz singled to center in the fourth, and then took the lead later in the inning on a three-run home run by Reynolds. Robert Jr. tied the game at seven in the fifth with a two-run dinger to right.
Pittsburgh broke the game open with a five run fifth inning. Jason Delay drove in the first run with a single to left center. Reynolds would hit a bases clearing triple and then come in to score on a wild throw to third base. Joe added an insurance run in the eighth with a double to right center. Chicago scored two more runs in the ninth, but it was not enough to make a comeback.
Neither starter had much luck today. Rich Hill pitched four innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits with just one strikeout for the Pirates. White Sox starter Lucas Giolito also worked four innings, giving up seven runs on twelve hits with three strikeouts. Dauri Moreta collected his first win of the year after pitching two innings, walking one and striking out two. The save went to Wil Crowe after he threw three innings, allowing two runs on three hits, to go along with four strikeouts and one walk.
Joe led the team with four hits today, while Delay, Bae, and Reynolds each had three. The only Bucco starter to not collect a hit was Jack Suwinski, who went 0-5. Reynolds also led the team with six RBI. Robert Jr. led Chicago with five RBI, and Anderson had the most hits with four.
This was a fun game to watch, and it was great to see a packed PNC Park on opening day. Andrew McCutchen received a standing ovation for his first at bat back in Pittsburgh while donning the black and gold uniform. He would go 2-5 from the DH spot. Game two of this three game series will take place Saturday night at 6:35pm. Vince Velasquez is slated to start for the Pirates, while the White Sox will counter with Mike Clevinger.
Record vs. White Sox: 1-0
Record vs. American League: 4-0
Record at Home: 1-0
Overall Record: 5-2
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
