Hard to figure out which was the worst performance on Sunday…the umpires in the first inning, or Pirates reliever Ben Heller in the 10th. Greg Brown recaps a disappointing day at PNC Park.
Pirates starter Jared Jones struggled with command, giving up three runs (two earned) in five innings of work. He walked three batters. Manager Derek Shelton says Jones struggled to find his form.
Shelton liked the way the Pirates battled back from a 3-0 deficit.
In the first inning of the game, the Twins’ scored three runs on a bases-loaded walk, the Pirates failing to turn a double play, and perhaps the worst umpiring call ever, when the Twins’ Byron Buxton fouled off a pitch, which everyone saw…except the four umpires who are paid to see it.
The pitch did very clearly hit Buxton’s bat for a foul ball, but home plate umpire Ryan Wills didn’t see or hear it, and the other three umpires didn’t either. Shelton questioned the non-call but was told MLB rules say it is not reviewable.
The Pirates have the day off today before playing the Cardinals tomorrow night in the first of three games in St. Louis.
ALTOONA CURVE
Dustin Peterson hit a three-run home run and Joe Perez had a two-run shot as Altoona scored five runs in the 4th inning and beat Richmond, 6-4. Peterson, Kervin Pichardo, and Yoyner Fajardo all had two hits for the Curve, which will return home to open a six-game series with Erie tomorrow night.
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