The Pirates’ stellar bullpen work continued and they played spoiler and slowed the Reds’ playoff push last night. Joe Block has the story.
Manager Donnie Kelly says the Pirates are putting it together in the last week of the season.
Johan Oviedo threw four-and-two-thirds innings, falling one out short of qualifying for the win. Kelly relieved him because of his pitch count and said he understands how much it would have meant for “Ovie” to get the W.
Catcher Joey Bart was a last-minute scratch for the Pirates last night, due to left wrist inflammation.
MLB
It’s officially known as the ABS Challenge System, but most just call it “robot umpires.” MLB will use the system starting next year after trying it out in the minors for several seasons. Each team will get two challenges, which can only be made by the pitcher, catcher, or batter to challenge ball or strike calls. Successful challenges will not count against the total. On challenge will be awarded to each team for each extra inning played.
ALTOONA CURVE
Minor League Baseball has named Altoona relief pitcher Wilkin Ramos to the Eastern league All-Star team.
Ramos was 3-2 with a 1.45 ERA in 35 appearances, striking out 53 and giving up just eight earned runs in 49-and-two-thirds innings, and was 7-for-7 in save opportunities, holding opposing hitters to a .161 batting average.
