After splitting Saturday’s doubleheader against the Brewers, the Pirates were unable to take the series finale at PNC Park yesterday.
Pirates fell, 2-1, to the Brew Crew after Milwaukee scored in the first off a throwing error by infielder Rodolfo Castro and then an RBI double by first basemen Eduardo Escobar. The Bucs would add one in the bottom of the third off an RBI single by Ben Gamel – a play that was initially ruled an out, but was later overturned after the Pirates challenged the call.
Shortstop Kevin Newman continued his hot streak at the plate with a double – his fifth of the series.
Manager Derek Shelton said the Pirates hung with a tough team in Milwaukee, despite losing the series.
Prior to yesterday’s game, the Pirates made a flurry of roster moves, which included calling left-handed pitcher Dillon Peters up from Triple-A Indianapolis. Peters was acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels earlier this season, and had barely any time to unpack his bags as he was tabbed to start Sunday’s finale.
Shelton added that the Pirates need to clean it up on defense if they want to win games.
The Pirates open a three-game series on the road tonight in the City of Angels as they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. (Steven Brault (PIT) – 0-1, 3.00 ERA; Dodgers have not named a pitcher yet. Airtime is 9:45 on WCCS 101.1 FM and AM 1160).
Also before yesterday’s game, the Pirates announced that right-handed pitcher Bryse Wilson and outfielder Anthony Alford were placed on the 10-day injured list. Wilson was placed on the list after experiencing fatigue in his right shoulder.
Alford was in the starting lineup before game one but was scratched close to game time.
Outfielder Ben Gamel was reinstated from the injured list before Sunday’s game and started in left field. He went 1-for-4.
Meanwhile, the Pirates’ front office was busy during the game as well, as they signed former KBO and Tampa Bay Rays slugger Yoshi Tsutsugo. The 29-year-old didn’t pan out too well with the Rays or the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, hitting just .155 with four doubles and seven RBI.
In addition, he struck out 39 times and walked 14 times. He was originally DFA’d by the Rays in 2020, and was released by the Dodgers on Saturday.
No word on the length or salary of his contract is available yet.
