The Pirates come home for tomorrow’s home opener riding high after another win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Here’s Joe Block.
Manager Derek Shelton says Mitch Keller’s performance was just what the Bucs needed.
A turning point in the game happened with two outs in the 7th inning when the Sox’ Reese McGuire clubbed a ball into the right field stands for an apparent game-tying three-run homer. It was originally ruled a home run by the first base umpire but home plate ump Dan Iossagna reversed the call, ruling it a foul ball. The foul call was upheld by video review and Shelton then left Keller in the game rather than relieve him, and Keller struck out McGuire looking to end the inning.
Keller knew it wasn’t a home run so he was shocked at the call by first base ump Clint Vondrak.
Pirates first baseman Carlos Santana finally got his first Bucco home run, and he doubled as well. He was more impressed with the Pirates’ win than his big day at the plate.
After starting the season 4-2 on a six-game road trip, the Pirates are back in Pittsburgh. They have an off day today before the home opener tomorrow at PNC Park.
MLB.com says the Pirates will have the highest slot value for a top pick in baseball history when they make the first overall choice in this year’s draft. Whether they spend it all on the top pick will remain to be seen. With Henry Davis taken number one overall in 2021, the Bucs signed him to a lower-than-slot bonus and spread the savings to sign other picks to higher slots. The slot value for the top choice this year will be more than $9.7 million, and the total bonus pool will be over $16.1 million.
The draft this year is over the All-Star Break, in the All-Star city. It will be July 9th through the 11th in Seattle.
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