The Pirates took command early and came away with a series-clinching win over the Rockies yesterday afternoon.
Greg Brown has the story.
Manager Donnie Kelly liked the fast start by his offense.
Kelly admires the way Endy Rodriguez has persisted through an injury-plagued career, especially since he’s still only 25 years old.
Kelly was happy to see his bullpen pitch so well, led by his openers, Mason Montgomery and Evan Sisk.
The Penguins didn’t do so well in their “Battle of Pennsylvania” in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Pirates will try to better in the baseball version this weekend, starting tonight against the Phillies. Braxton Ashcraft (2-2, 2.77 ERA) will start for the Pirates against veteran Phils’ right-hander Aaron Nola (2-3, 5.14 ERA). Airtime is 6:15, with the first pitch at 6:40 on WCCS.
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said yesterday that Jared Jones will start for Altoona on Sunday, making his fourth rehab appearance. He also said the Pirates are “not there yet” when considering the role Jones will play when he returns to the Major Leagues in a few weeks. While he and manager Donnie Kelly have said that Jones is a starter “long term,” they have not said that Jones will be in the rotation right away.
BUCCO INJURIES
Director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk updated the injury report yesterday and said catcher Joey Bart’s foot infection is being treated with IV antibiotics. There is no timeline for his return.
Outfielder Jake Mangum has resumed all baseball activities and will increase the intensity of his workouts as he recovers from a left hamstring problem. Pitcher Chris Devenski is back to baseball activities, recovering from an undisclosed illness.
Minor leaguers Mitch Jebb and Anthony Solometo are recovering from surgery. Jebb is not going to resume baseball activities for at least ten weeks after thumb surgery. Solometo is out until next year after shoulder surgery.
