The Pirates turned a laugher into a nail biter, but they managed to hold on against the Nationals last night. Here’s Joe Block.
In his return from the minors, Quinn Priester gave up four runs in four innings, but manager Derek Shelton saw a different pitcher than the one they sent down to Indianapolis last month.
Nationals pitcher Jacob Rutledge had a rough outing in his Major league debut, giving up all seven runs to the Pirates, who jumped on him in the first inning. Shelton says the Bucs wanted to get after the rookie, who was drafted one pick ahead of Priester in 2019.
Bryan Reynolds had a three-hit night with a home run. He raised his batting average to .272 with 21 home runs. He says he is comfortable at the plate right now.
Mitch Keller gets the start for the Pirates today against Washington’s Josiah Gray in the series finale. It’s a 12:10 airtime, a 12:35 first pitch on 100.9 The Groundhog.
General manager Ben Cherington met the media yesterday and said the Pirates would love to have more special moments with Andrew McCutchen next season. McCutchen is out for the season after partially tearing his Achilles tendon, and he and the Pirates will need to work out a contract for him to return to the team.
Cherington also talked about Oneil Cruz and Mitch Keller. He said there are still decisions to be made on how to proceed with Cruz’s rehabilitation from a fractured ankle. He could play in the Arizona Fall League if the team decides he is ready for it. He will certainly spend time in Bradenton, Florida working with Pirates staff, and he could also play winter ball in his native Dominican Republic. Keller will enter his second arbitration season this winter. Cherington anticipates talking at some point this winter about a new contract for the All-Star pitcher.
Yet another great day at the plate for Henry Davis, who continues his rehab stint with Indianapolis. Davis had two more hits in a 5-4 win over Omaha.
ALTOONA CURVE
Altoona scored six runs in the fifth inning and survived a shaky job by the bullpen to beat Akron 7-5. It was the Curve’s seventh straight win. The big hits were a solo home run by Andres Alvarez, a two-run double by Tsung-Che Cheng, and a two-run single by Jase Bowen. Sean Sullivan gave up a run over five innings to earn the win and finish his season 8-4 with a 3.88 ERA.
Left-hander Nick Dombkowski will start for the Curve tonight.
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