The cake tasted especially sweet for the Pirates’ three birthday boys yesterday. Manager Derek Shelton, assistant hitting coach Christian Marrero, and outfielder Josh Palacios all were celebrating, especially Palacios, who had the biggest day of them all. Joe Block recaps an exciting Bucs’ walkoff win.
Just before the home run, Palacios had been knocked down by the previous pitch as he squared around to bunt. He said he had to regain his composure and be ready to swing.
The Pirates pulled off an unusual double play in the top of the 10th when Henry Davis fielded a long fly ball in right field and uncorked a 95.9-mile-per-hour peg to home plate, causing the Phils’ Bryce Harper to retreat toward third. Catcher Endy Rodriguez then threw to second base, where Alec Bohm had strayed off second. Harper then broke for home and Nick Gonzalez threw him out at the plate to complete the 9-2-4-2 all-rookie DP.
The Pirates are off today and start a two-game series against Detroit at PNC Park tomorrow.
Tomorrow at 6 PM is also the MLB trade deadline, and while players have been swapped all weekend long, activity is expected to pick up even more ahead of the cutoff. The Pirates have a number of veterans who could be traded, including pitchers Rich Hill, Colin Holderman, and even All-Stars Mitch Keller and David Bednar. Others who could go include first basemen Ji Man Choi and Connor Joe and catcher Austin Hedges, and while the market for Hedges could be limited, general manager Ben Cherington said on his show on WCCS yesterday that he anticipates Henry Davis catching more after the trade deadline, which could mean Hedges would be gone.
Cherington also said yesterday that first round draft choice Paul Skenes is in a throwing program in Bradenton and is expected to pitch in minor league games this season. The GM said 18-year-old Jhonny Severino, acquired from the Brewers for Carlos Santana last week, is “the type of player” the Pirates need to invest in. Severino homered and stole two bases in his first game in the Florida Complex League. And Cherington said infielder Tucupita Marcano will likely require surgery for ligament damage in his right knee.
MLB
Weekend trades across MLB included the Mets shipping star right-hander Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers for prospects. The Angels acquired first baseman C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk from Colorado for prospects. The Cardinals sent reliever Jordan Hicks to the Blue Jays for two minor leaguers. The Cards also sent starter Jordan Montgomery and former Pirates reliever Chris Stratton to the Rangers for reliever John King and two prospects. The Braves sent pitcher Taylor Hearn, who they just traded for last week, to Kansas City for second baseman Nicky Lopez.
ALTOONA CURVE
Altoona lost to Harrisburg 4-3 on a walkoff 9th inning sacrifice fly. The Curve’s Tsung-Che Cheng and Jacob Gonzalez each had two hits and each homered. Matt Fraizer also had two hits. The Curve is off today and opens a six-game series with Richmond tomorrow night
