6/29/23- By Craig W. Toth – @BucsBasement on Twitter
OK, we won a game yesterday. If we win today, it’s called “two in a row”. And if we win again tomorrow, it’s called a “winning streak”… It has happened before!-Manager Lou Brown from Major League II
For the second straight night your Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the high spending San Diego Padres; only this time the Friars offense was made to look almost completely inept by the foursome of Mitch Keller, Carmen Mlodzinski, Yerry De Los Santos and Cody Bolton. Although Bolton tried to make things a little bit more interesting by loading the bases in the bottom of the 9th.
Led by the rejuvenated veteran-Carlos Santana-and the still, wet behind the ears rookie-Henry Davis, the Pirates bats eventually put the game out of reach; after taking a 2-0 lead on a first inning blast from the old man.
On the mound Keller was his normally consistent self; allowing just one run through 6 innings, and giving his team a chance to put the Padres away for good.
To their credit, Pittsburgh did just that with a five spot in the bottom of the 7th; on their way to a 7-1 victory.
News & Notes
- Santana’s early homer was his second in as many days; and his 8th on the season. Following an absolutely freezing spell during the month of May, Santana has righted the ship over the past few weeks. Over his last 15 games-and 58 at bats-he is slashing .259/.302/.500 with 4 long balls.
- Prior to last night’s contest-and after being given a few days off to rest-Ke’Bryan Hayes was placed on the 10-Day IL with a lower back issue; which is the same thing that limited him last season.
- Replacing Hayes on the active roster, as well as the line-up, was off-season 40-Man addition, Jared Triolo; who would single in his Major League Debut.
- Keller’s final line was: 6IP/4H/1ER/2BB/5K. He is now 9-3 on the season, with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.
- As positive as the outcome was, the Pirates lineup did strike out 11 times on the evening; with 10 coming at the hands of the Padres starter Blake Snell. Over his past 7 starts, Snell boasts a 0.86 ERA with a 0.83 WHIP and 66 strikes over 42 innings of work; so I guess they probably should feel too bad.
Today at 12:35 PM EST at PNC Park, your Pirates look to go for a sweep over the visiting Padres.
For Pittsburgh, Luis Ortiz (2-3/3.74 ERA/1.62 WHIP) takes the mound against old friend, Joe Musgrove (6-2/3.88 ERA/1.26 WHIP).
Steel City Pirates 