It was a picture-perfect Father’s Day at PNC Park, as the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants wrapped up a three-game series. San Francisco took the first two games, but Pittsburgh would use four home runs to avoid the sweep. The biggest part of those four home runs were that three were hit by rookie Jack Suwinski, including one in the bottom of the ninth to cap off the 4-3 victory.
Even with the success the Pirates offense had, it was the Giants offense that got things started in the first inning with two runs. Joc Pederson drove in a pair on a single to center. That was the only runs that Pittsburgh starter Mitch Keller would give up on the day. He would strikeout four, walk three, and allow two hits over six innings.
The Pirates offense got started in the third when Hoy Park hit a 393 ft. home run to right center. That was followed up in the fourth when Suwinski hit a 365 ft. homer to right. Both of those came off San Francisco starter Alex Cobb. He would work four innings, giving up four hits with one walk and two strikeouts.
Suwinski would hit his next homer in the sixth off relief pitcher Sam Long. That one traveled 406 ft. to right center. It looked like that would be all the offense Pittsburgh would need on the day, but Thairo Estrada hit a solo shot to left off of David Bednar. It was odd to see Bednar blow a save, but he would be picked up in the bottom half of the inning when Suwinski hit his third home run of the day. That one would travel 405 ft. to right center.
This was a fun game to watch and a great Father’s Day memory for many. Suwinski now leads all MLB rookies with eleven home runs and is the first Pirates rookie to hit three home runs in a game since Andrew McCutchen in 2009. Pittsburgh will be back in action on Monday at home when they begin a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs.
Record vs. Giants: 1-2
Record vs. N.L. West: 12-9
Record at Home: 14-19
Overall Record: 26-39
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
