05/31/2023 – By Ethan Smith – @mvp_Ethan on Twitter
The Pittsburgh Pirates fell below .500 for the first time since the opening weekend of the season on Memorial Day on Monday, but a Connor Joe homer against his former team and some big base-running from Rodolfo Castro propelling a 2-1 victory over the Giants on Tuesday night.
Joe’s homer came in the top of the first inning on a 3-2 count with two outs, giving the Pirates an early 1-0 lead, something they have struggled with as of late.
Michael Conforto came right back in the bottom of the first to tie things up on an RBI single to score Mike Yastrzemski against Johan Oviedo.
Oviedo would settle in for the remainder of his outing, going 4.1 IP while only allowing three hits. He struck out five and walked five, but did enough for the Pirates bullpen to lead the rest of the game.
The top of the fifth would be the difference as a Jason Delay single led to a fielding error from Mitch Haniger, putting Castro on third base. A Sean Manaea wild pitch would score Castro and ultimately be the difference.
Manaea pitched well, going four innings with one earned run after John Brebbia opened the game.
The bullpen group of Dauri Moreta, Jose Hernandez, Colin Holderman and David Bednar would combine to go four scoreless innings while only allowing two hits and one walk with four strikeouts.
Bednar would get the save in the ninth, picking up save number 10 in 11 tries.
The Pirates look for their last opportunity to win a series in May on Wednesday, as Mitch Keller faces off with Alex Wood.
News & Notes
- Connor Joe homers against former team
- Rodolfo Castro only Pirate to have multi-hit game
- Dauri Moreta picks up second win of the season
- Pirates move back to .500, game three vs Giants last chance to win a series in May
Steel City Pirates 