BUCS WIN AGAINST CUBS, LOSE CATCHER PEREZ FOR THE SEASON

After they were shutout in back-to-back games, the Pirates mustered nine hits and three runs against the Chicago Cubs to take the final game in the three game series, 3-2.

Joe Block has the recap.

Pirates outfielder Jack Suwinski, who grew up near Chicago, hit a solo home run against Cubs starter Drew Smyly in the fifth inning that put the Bucs ahead for good. Not only did he do it in front of his hometown crowd, but he did it with his family and friends in attendance.

Suwinski said after the game that hitting the home run was a surreal moment.

Suwinski adds that, as the count grew deeper, he felt more comfortable at the plate.

Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who doubled against Smyly, said that making pitchers work is a main focal point for the Bucs.

The Pirates have today off and they will open a three-game homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals tomorrow night.

In Pirates injury news, Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk said yesterday that C Roberto Perez will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his left hamstring.

Perez injured the hamstring after running the bases in Cincinnati earlier this month and was placed on the 60-day injured list on May 11. The team hoped that he could return after the All-Star break, but a more in-depth look at his hamstring revealed that surgery would be the best course of action.

Perez will finish his abridged season with a .233 batting average, two home runs and eight RBI in 21 games with the Pirates. He will also be a free agent after the season.

After struggling last year as a starter, Wil Crowe has enjoyed much success as a member of the Pirates bullpen.

Baseball Savant shows on Crowe’s player page that he’s in the 100^th percentile in hard hit percentage, meaning he draws more soft contact than anyone else in the MLB. Additionally, Crowe ranks in the 97^th percentile in expected exit velocity, the 98^th percentile in barrel percentage – meaning opponents are not barreling his pitches often – and he also ranks in the 91^st percentile in average exit velocity.