Torrential rain, a flooded field, and a few too many “almost but not quite” plays did in the Pirates last night in their series opener against the Padres.
The field flooded because the drainage system at PNC Park became clogged with dirt. That caused players and managers for both teams to question why they would play in what many considered unsafe conditions. Manager Derek Shelton said the grounds crew had their hands – and their boots – full after the storm.
The Padres did most of their damage in the 5th inning, with three hits that the Pirates just missed getting to…Rowdy Tellez, Jared Triolo, and Ji Hwan Bae almost corralled all three, but couldn’t get to them.
Shelton says those plays made the difference.
The Pirates’ offense couldn’t get untracked. They managed only five hits off the six Padres pitchers.
Shelton thought that some early offensive opportunities could have changed the game.
Game two of the series is tonight. The Pirates will send left-hander Marco Gonzalez [1-1, 3.72 ERA] to the mound to face the Padres’ right-hander Michale King [9-6, 3.26 ERA]. It’s a 6:15 airtime, 6:40 first pitch on WCCS.
Pitcher Jared Jones will make a rehab start for Indianapolis, most likely tomorrow at Nashville, as he continues his comeback from a right lat strain. He’s been out since July 5th. Outfielder Joshua Palacios will be in the lineup for Indianapolis tonight as he begins a rehab stint. He’s been out since last Wednesday with a strained left hamstring.
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