The Pirates broke open their game with the Rockies in the 6th inning yesterday on their way to a win in Denver. Joe Block has the recap.
Manager Derek Shelton says it was a big day for Jason Delay, both behind the plate and at the plate.
Infielder Jared Triolo was appreciative of the Bucs’ bullpen arms.
Second baseman Nick Gonzalez says it took a total team effort to win the game.
The win ties the Pirates with the Reds for third place in the NL Central. Both teams are 34-37 and play each other tonight at PNC Park. Paul Skenes [3-0, 2.43 ERA] faces Reds right-hander Carson Spiers [0-0, 2.33], making his first MLB start and 5th appearance of the season. It’s a 6:15 airtime, 6:40 first pitch on WCCS.
On The Ben Cherington Show on WCCS yesterday, the Pirates’ GM said some of his injured starting pitchers are progressing but none are ready to rejoin the rotation yet. The Pirates went with bullpen games for two of the three starts in Colorado.
Cherington said injured starters Martin Pérez, Marco Gonzalez, and Quinn Priester are working on getting back and it might not be too long before they are again helping the Pirates. He said Pérez would probably be the first one ready to pitch again because his groin injury is not arm-related.
Cherington has also stocked the Pirates’ Indianapolis Triple-A team with other potential starters who could help the Pirates, including Major league veterans Daulton Jefferies, Luis Cessa, and Jake Woodford. Jefferies, he said, could be recalled “at any point.” And if you are looking for a dark horse, recently-promoted right-hander Braxton Ashcraft could be an option a bit further into the season.
Ashcraft has been turning heads since Spring Training, and is all the way back from Tommy John surgery in 2021.
The Bucs’ GM also said Top Ten prospect Mike Burrows, who had Tommy John surgery last year, has been doing very well in rehab in Bradenton and could be ready for live-game action in July.
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