The Pittsburgh Pirates managed to string together four of their five hits at the perfect time, plating four runs in the seventh, and then holding off the Milwaukee Brewers.
They have a chance to take the series on Sunday, a week after they let a series victory against the Brewers slip through their hands in a 2-0 defeat.
Three recent veteran roster activations (Ben Gamel, Kevin Newman, and Yoshi Tsutsugo) provided four of the five hits, three of the four in the seventh, to carry to offense. Gamel hit the big — eventual clinching — two run home run.
At this point in the season, the veterans are auditioning for teams in the hunt — or a roster spot on the 2023 Pirates if they have remaining years of control.
If you were to carry any of the existing veterans, who would it be, and why?
I’d be interested in carrying Kevin Newman as a super utility bat. He’s shown an ability to be a defensive asset, and is often a tough at-bat. Then I wouldn’t mind Gamel as a veteran fourth OF. He seems like a great clubhouse presence, and can also can grow a majestic beard.
PIRATES @ BREWERS
Time: 2:10 PM EST
Pirates Starter: Jose Quintana, (2-4, 3.33)
Brewers Starter: Eric Lauer (6-3, 3.84)
Quintana Notes: Jose Quintana has been a stable presence this season, and his latest start was another indication of that. He held the Yankees to one run over five innings, while striking out seven. That start ended with Quintana getting his second victory of the season.
LINEUPS:
Pirates
Series finale.#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/46gCQbit8J
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 10, 2022
Brewers
A beautiful day for baseball.
UPDATE: Bryan Reynolds left early on Sunday with right side discomfort. He is listed as day-to-day. With the way the Pirates have handled injury announcements this year, that could literally be anything from playing tomorrow night to being out for the year.
