The Pittsburgh Pirates opened their season 4-0, completing a four game sweep on Sunday against the Miami Marlins.
Bailey Falter had a rough start, allowing six runs in four innings of work. The lefty was hit for a grand slam in the first inning, capping off a five run lead by Miami to start things off. He also gave up a solo homer in the fourth inning.
The Pirates have won two of these games in comeback fashion, including today’s 9-7 extra innings victory. After the five runs from Falter in the first, the offense played small ball in the second. Jack Suwinski and Jared Triolo reached on singles, then scored on a two-out triple by Alika Williams. After back-to-back walks to load the bases, a Bryan Reynolds single brought in another run.
Ke’Bryan Hayes knocked in a run in the fourth inning. He also got the rally started in the seventh with a leadoff walk. Edward Olivares reached on a single. After the Marlins recorded two outs, Rowdy Tellez came to the plate, and took the ninth pitch of the at-bat to deep center field for a three run homer to give the Pirates the lead.
After Falter left, the Pirates received shutdown innings from their bullpen. Luis Ortiz pitched two scoreless frames. Ryan Borucki threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts. Aroldis Chapman matched Borucki with a perfect frame and two Ks. The exception for the bullpen success was David Bednar, who allowed a solo homer for his first blown save.
The Pirates’ offense came up big once again in the tenth. Alika Williams sacrificed the runner at second with a bunt, and reached on an error. That led to a Jason Delay sacrifice bunt which allowed Oneil Cruz to score from third. Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a two-out single to load the bases and keep the inning going, which allowed Michael A. Taylor to draw an RBI walk.
With a two run lead, Hunter Stratton was called upon to close out the game. Stratton gave up a single to Josh Bell to put runners at first and third. He then showed some filthy stuff, recording two strikeouts, and getting four whiffs on eight swings. He also had four called strikes, including the final strike of the game to pick up the save.
This is looking like a good Pirates team. The offense doesn’t have a dead spot in the lineup, and can keep the team in any game where the pitching staff gives up a lead. The bullpen has been elite, even with Bednar’s blown save today. The rotation has been solid outside of Falter. Credit to Falter for turning things around after a rough first inning, helping the pitching staff limit the Marlins to two runs over the final nine innings of the game.
PROSPECT WATCH
Indianapolis beat Louisville 6-4, led by a dominant start from Quinn Priester.
The 2019 first round pick wen 5.2 innings, allowing one run on a walk and a hit, while striking out nine. Priester recorded 20 whiffs on the day, picking up six each with his sinker and slider, and five more with his curveball. All five of his pitches were working, with at least one whiff on every pitch for an overall 49% whiff rate, to go with a 41% called and swinging strike rate. Priester’s sinker sat 94 MPH, touching as high as 96. His slider worked around 87-88 MPH, while his curveball averaged 80-81 MPH.
Last year, Priester had five starts in Triple-A with nine or more strikeouts. His high was 11 strikeouts in six innings on June 24th. He also struck out ten on September 7th. This was a great beginning of the season for the right-hander, who missed out on the Opening Day rotation, but looks like a top depth option this year.
Indianapolis got on the board first with a Malcom Nunez solo homer. They also picked up three hits from Gilberto Celestino, who knocked in two runs. Nick Gonzales pick up two hits, both doubles, while scoring two runs. Liover Peguero added an RBI double. Kyle Nicolas came on to pitch the final four outs, picking up the save with no damage allowed.
STATCAST HEROES
Here are the stats from the Pirates game.
Here are the stats from Indianapolis.
DAILY VIDEO RUNDOWN
Rowdy Tellez with a 425 foot home run to center field — the hardest hit of the day for the Pirates at 106.6 MPH.
LET'S GET ROWDY pic.twitter.com/8HMNHcmjH7
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 31, 2024
After 14 runs in the first nine innings, it was a bunt which gave the Pirates a go-ahead run.
We love a well-placed bunt.
Especially when it gives us the lead in extras. pic.twitter.com/lGni33f9U8
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 31, 2024
Quinn Priester is the latest Pirates starting pitcher to have a shutdown performance.
ICYMI: @QuinnPriester had himself an afternoon. 👏 pic.twitter.com/Ccdgp8KQMl
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) March 31, 2024
Malcom Nunez crushed a home run to give Indianapolis a 1-0 lead.
An absolute MASH from Malcom breaks a scoreless tie.
No better time for it. 💪 pic.twitter.com/r4UpJaYr1b
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) March 31, 2024
Liover Peguero belted his second double of the year, bringing in a run.
Peggy. En fuego. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lJ5HyfvvDP
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) March 31, 2024
ROSTER MOVES
The Pirates outrighted catcher Ali Sanchez and outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba to Triple-A Indianapolis. Sanchez refused the assignment, and has elected free agency. Both players were designated for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster for the non-roster invitees who made the Opening Day roster.
The Pirates also activated Roansy Contreras from paternity leave, and optioned lefty Jose Hernandez to Triple-A. Hernandez was originally announced for the Triple-A team, with the out-of-options Contreras making the MLB bullpen. Hernandez pitched two shutout innings and picked up a save in the three games Contreras was out.
TODAY: PIRATES (4-0) AT NATIONALS (1-2)
Game Time: 4:05 PM EDT
Watch: SportsNet-PIT
Listen: 100.1 FM/KDKA-AM 1020
Pirates Starter: Marco Gonzales, LHP (0-0, 0.00)
Marlins Starter: MacKenzie Gore, LHP (0-0, 0.00)
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
This is year five of the “build” under Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington. In this week’s First Pitch, I compared the 2019 and 2024 Opening Day rosters, along with the top prospect lists for the Pirates, to see how far along the team has come.
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THIS WEEK ON PIRATES PROSPECTS
**Paul Skenes Predicts the Pirates Will Be Winning For a Long Time – FREE for 24 hours, starting 4/1 at noon
The 2023 first overall pick, number one pitching prospect in the game, and number one prospect in the Pirates’ system is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh this summer. Paul Skenes notes that he’s only one man, and feels the Pirates have enough talent to win for a long time.
**Jared Jones Forces the Pirates Hand
After an impressive Spring Training, Jared Jones has made the Pirates’ Opening Day rotation. This was far from a guarantee at the start of camp, but the performance from Jones and the development of his secondary stuff was enough to force the Pirates to make a decision.
**Termarr Johnson Just Wants to Win, Including One Day in Pittsburgh
The Pirates drafted Termarr Johnson fourth overall in 2022, and the 19-year-old infielder has shown advanced contact abilities, plate patience, and surprising power. He also has a competitive drive, wanting to win everywhere he goes, including one day in Pittsburgh.
**Bubba Chandler Shows Advanced Maturity Entering Third Pro Season (FREE until 4/1 at noon)
After a break to reset in the middle of 2023, Bubba Chandler had some of the best numbers in the Pittsburgh Pirates system in the second half. The right-handed pitcher continues to progress this spring, working on his changeup while bringing a mature approach to his game.
Tsung-Che Cheng is no stranger to international competition and playing in front of large crowds. He also has some of the best contact skills in the Pirates’ system, and walks to the plate playing “Fast Car” by Luke Combs. Read about the man nicknamed “Z”.
**Lonnie White Jr. Shows a Competitive Drive and Quick Learning Ability – FREE for 24 hours, starting 4/1 at noon
Lonnie White Jr. was drafted 64th overall in 2021, signing with the Pirates rather than going to Penn State as a two-sport athlete. Injuries slowed the start of his career, but he returned in 2023, with some of the best numbers in the system during the second half.
SONG OF THE DAY
