Vince Velasquez just had one of his best starts in five years.
The Pirates’ free agent starter pitched seven shutout innings, allowing two walks and two hits, while striking out ten. That led the way to the Pirates beating the Reds 2-0, completing a four game sweep, and extending their winning streak to seven games.
Velasquez hasn’t recorded double-digit strikeouts since a start on May 10th, 2018, when he struck out 12 in six innings against the Giants. The right-hander has only pitched seven innings in three other starts since 2018, with the last being on June 29, 2021.
What was impressive about today is that his strikeout stuff was just as “wicked” in the seventh inning, as Pitching Ninja Rob Friedman highlights.
Vince Velasquez, Wicked Sliders.
The Pirates offense faced a tough assignment today, going up against Reds lefty Hunter Greene. They managed to eek out a run in the first inning, with Ke’Bryan Hayes scoring on a double-play by Andrew McCutchen. That lone run would be all that Velasquez would get, and it was all that he needed through seven.
After a scoreless eighth inning from Colin Holderman — who picked up his eighth hold as David Bednar’s set-up man — the Pirates got a spark from another veteran free agent addition.
Carlos Santana hit a well-placed check-swing grounder down the first base line in the bottom of the eighth, in what would have been the final out had it been a bit to the right. Santana wasn’t done there. The 37-year-old first baseman stole his first base since the 2021 season, catching Reds’ right-hander Fernando Cruz and first baseman Wil Myers sleeping with an early jump, before taking off on the windup.
That was followed by a double from Jack Suwinski on a line drive to right field, scoring Santana, and giving the Pirates some insurance.
Not that David Bednar needed it. The closer gave up a two-out single to right field, but closed out the game with two strikeouts and a pop-out in an easy outing.
The Pirates will get a well-deserved day off tomorrow. On Tuesday, they welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to town for a three game series in what will be their biggest challenge of the year.
