The Pirates completed a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend, extending their current win streak to five games. Next, they welcome the Oakland Athletics into town, owners of a 12-49 record.
The Pirates will start today with Johan Oviedo on the mound. The bullpen was used a lot over the weekend, and David Bednar was used three days in a row. While no MLB team offers an easy path to victory, this is probably the best time that the Pirates could be playing the worst team in baseball. If Oakland wins one game, they raise their winning percentage over the Mendoza line. It’s entirely possible that Austin Hedges could end this series with a higher batting average than Oakland’s winning percentage.
Let’s all just take a moment to appreciate that the Pirates have done a complete 180 from that level of play. Here are the daily previews, with results below after the games.
PIRATES (31-27) VS ATHLETICS
Game Time: 7:05 PM EST
Pirates Starter: Johan Oviedo, RHP (3-4, 4.50)
Athletics Starter: JP Sears, LHP (0-3, 4.37)
Pirates Lineups:
Let's have ourselves another home series.
📺 AT&T SportsNet
📻 93.7 The Fan | The PRN#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/5EAim3wFIJ— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 5, 2023
Athletics Lineups:
📍 Pitt stop pic.twitter.com/lvfKzVmi0d
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) June 5, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS (28-28) OFF
5/26: Potential Plan For Jared Triolo Becoming More Clear
5/18: The Bat Is Ready For Endy Rodriguez, But One Question Remains
ALTOONA (27-22) OFF
6/1: Matt Gorski Displays Athleticism And Versatility
5/25: Sean Sullivan Continues To Thrive In Altoona
GREENSBORO (26-23) OFF
6/4: Braxton Ashcraft Showing Velocity and Control in Return From Tommy John
6/2: Abrahan Gutierrez Hitting Ground Running Returning From Injury
5/26: Anthony Solometo Faces Two Top 100 Prospects In Greensboro
BRADENTON (27-24) OFF
6/3: Thomas Harrington Displayed Swing and Miss Secondary in Bradenton
5/30: With May Ending, Shalin Polanco Heading In Right Direction
5/27: Luis Peralta Using Sinker In Less Conventional Way
FCL PIRATES
Game Time: 12:00 PM EST
Projected Starter: Hung-Leng Chang, RHP (2023 Debut)
DSL PIRATES BLACK
Game Time: 12:00 PM EST
Projected Starter: Clevari Tejada, RHP (Pro Debut)
DSL PIRATES GOLD
Game Time: 12:00 PM EST
Projected Starter: Pitterson Rosa, RHP (2023 Debut)
DAILY PIRATES NEWS
If you missed it from last night, the Pirates promoted Henry Davis to Indianapolis. I wrote a column yesterday about Davis, Endy Rodriguez, and the future of the catching position in Pittsburgh.
Anthony Murphy looked at the wheels that could be put in motion following the Davis promotion. The most intriguing to me is the likelihood of Abrahan Gutierrez moving up to Altoona.
More Recent Pirates Features
6/4: Williams: Endy Rodriguez, Henry Davis, and the Pirates’ Catcher of the Future
6/2: Pirates Business: Examining the Super Two “Deadline”
5/31: Can Rodolfo Castro Be More Than A Platoon Player?
PIRATES RECAP
Check back at the end of the night for all of the daily results throughout the system, or, join the discussion in the comments if you’re following Live.
Final Score: Pirates 5, Athletics 4
Player of the Game: Andrew McCutchen, DH (0-for-1, 3 BB, SF, 2 RBI)
Recap: Andrew McCutchen didn’t record a single hit in tonight’s win against the Athletics, but he had some of the most pivotal at-bats during the game. McCutchen drew walks in the first and fifth innings, but it was his walk in the sixth that helped the Pirates come back against Oakland. After three straight balls from Shintaro Fujinami, who was having control issues in the sixth, McCutchen took a strike, then fouled off three different 101 MPH pitches. The final pitch was a 102.1 MPH fastball that was called ball four at the bottom of the zone. McCutchen walked, bringing in a run. Bryan Reynolds would walk one batter later to tie the score at 3-3. The Pirates took a lead when Athletics right fielder Seth Brown threw to third on a sacrifice fly, rather than trying to throw out Austin Hedges at the plate.
Hedges had himself a big day. His defensive skills were on display throughout the game, but the weak hitting catcher came up big on the offensive side. His walk in the sixth inning loaded the bases for McCutchen. With a tie game in the bottom of the eighth, Hedges singled to put runners at first and third. That opened the door for McCutchen to hit the go-ahead sacrifice fly, scoring Ji-Hwan Bae from third.
Johan Oviedo ran into trouble early, giving up three runs in the first three innings. One was unearned. He settled down and ended up going seven innings with just those three runs on four hits, two walks, and five strikeouts. The Pirates gave up their 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth inning when Rob Zastryzny led off the frame with a walk and a double. After a one out walk, the Pirates brought in Angel Perdomo, who was able to close out the inning, putting himself in line for his first win of the year.
With David Bednar out after pitching the last three days, the Pirates turned to Colin Holderman in the ninth. Holderman made it interesting, but Hedges kept things steady. After a leadoff single, Hedges caught Esteury Ruiz stealing second. That proved to be a key play, as the next batter hit a ground-rule double that would have scored Perez. A single put runners at first and third, before Holderman got the final two outs, finishing with an 87 MPH sweeper at the bottom of the zone to get Carlos Perez swinging.
PIRATES PROSPECT WATCH
By John Dreker
ROOKIE: FCL PIRATES
Final Score: Pirates 9, Braves 2
Player of the Game: Antwone Kelly 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO
Recap:
The Pirates won 9-2 over the Braves, in a game that featured multiple choices for the Player of the Game. Starter Hung-Leng Chang put in a solid performance, allowing one run over four frames, while striking out six batters. Reliever Antwone Kelly was just as strong, going three shutout innings on one hit, one walk and six strikeouts.
Sergio Umana allowed one run over the final two frames. He had two strikeouts, giving the Pirates pitchers 14 for the game.
Yordany De Los Santos had a case for the top player honors. He went 3-for-5, with a double, two runs and an RBI. Esmerlyn Valdez homered, walked and drove in three runs.
Lonnie White Jr returned to action for the first time since last year. He had a solid game, going 1-for-3 with two walks, two runs and a stolen base.
Catching prospect Axiel Plaz went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts.
Juan Jerez had a double and two RBIs, as he rehabs from a spring injury.
ROOKIE: DSL PIRATES BLACK
Final Score: Tigers 3, Pirates 0
Player of the Game: Jonathan Rivero 1-for-3, 2B, 2 BB
Recap:
The Pirates Black lost their opener by a 3-0 score. Starter Clevari Tejada allowed two runs/one earned over three innings. Brandison Polanco followed with one run over 2.2 frames, while striking out five batters. Wali Pierre and Luis Joseph handled the final 2.1 frames without a run.
Catcher Jonathan Rivero was the top (by bonus) international signing for the Pirates this year, receiving an $840,000 bonus. He went 1-for-3 with a double and two walks in his debut.
Cristian Jauregui, a top signing out of Cuba, went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in his debut. He did record a stolen base and an outfield assist.
Angel Aquino and Carlos Caro each had two hits. Aquino is a power-hitting outfielder, who signed in January.
Caro was a 2021-22 signing who flew completely under the radar, so we didn’t find out about him until today. He signed back in October, making him part of the previous signing class. He an athletic middle infielder, who impacts the ball well. He’s a strong kid, despite being listed at 5’11”, 160 pounds. As you might expect, he has room to fill out. He’s a right-handed batter, 18 years old out of the Dominican.
ROOKIE: DSL PIRATES GOLD
Final Score: Pirates 6, Phillies 1
Player of the Game: Pitterson Rosa 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 SO
Recap:
With fewer affiliates in the U.S., some players are going to be left behind an extra year in the DSL. That seems like the case with Pitterson Rosa, one of the higher profile pitchers for either Pirates DSL squad, who had a strong rookie season last year. He dominated in the season opener, allowing a hit and a walk over four scoreless innings, while striking out seven batters.
Rafael Mendez allowed an unearned run over two innings. Greiber Mendez took the final three innings, retiring all nine batters he faced.
The Pirates scored their first run in the second inning on a double by John Zorrilla. They added five more runs in the sixth for the 6-1 win.
Ruben Vizcaya hit a two-run homer in the sixth. He ended up with the Dave Parker Hat Trick (all rights reserved), adding a stolen base and an outfield assist to the home run. In the past, the outfielders in the Pirates system as a group went multiple years in a row without one DPHT. They are very rare.
Wild pitches scored the third and fourth runs of the inning. A ground out by Eduardo Oviedo scored the final run.
No one on the Pirates had more than one hit, but they drew eight walks as a group.
We will have FCL and DSL season previews coming up soon.
Arenado just had a misplay that contributed to a Rangers walk-off.
Wish I could say I’m not enjoying the Cards struggle, but . . .
Love me some flaming Cardnal
Shelton deserves at least a little credit for the win – even though calling on Z blew up, Shelty resisted the temptation to double down and put DeJong in the game.
raise it!
Cutch telling Robbie – “relax it’s June”
He wasn’t saying that to Robbie, he was relaying that to the young Bucs. Don’t read the press clipping, lots of work to do. Total leader.
Well, he was saying that to Robbie, too.
No shit! I missed that, Mr. Obvious
Sheesh, we’ll take it.
I can’t remember the last time I have felt like the Pirates were such a big favorite to win a game, that I am more relleived than happy to get the win.
At least tonight the starters had similar ERAs but tomorrow looks like a bigge mismatch. So, it probably means it will be a struggle. Hopefully our hitters come ready to hit.
That wasn’t pretty, but it looks as good as any other game in the win/loss column.
Last time I checked, no style points in baseball. Take the win!
What an inning for Hedges! Big hit, CS, nice block to save the tying run.
Fans who attended got their money’s worth. That was a long game.
Tonight’s game was 3:13 and the average length last year was 3:03 and in 2021 it was 3:10. How much better is it now that a 3+ hour game feels really long?
First place.
A’s need to revisit this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ_kOi-lHFI&start=84
https://youtu.be/8jQRz1xO8Y8
I thought it was this.
Holderman has lost it.
Found it again!
That broken bat bloop is bad luck.
Hedges earned his pay tonight.
Hedges just had his best 10 minutes of the season.
The game that Holderman was immaculate, he threw all sliders. Last outing he struggled and didn’t throw one single slider, wonder why.
Hedges
Holderman’s had three bad games. Hedges caught two of them.
Out!!!!
Wait so he threw a runner out AND he got a hit?
Got on and scored on a sac fly from JackJack scoring what was the go ahead run in the 7th.
I’m moving the family to the underground bunker, right now.
Caught Stealing?????
mark your calendar.
Please be out!
Ok Holderman, time to get back in the circle of trust.
We are gonna need Keller to have another quality start tomorrow, perhaps more important is playing a game where we could give the pen a big break.
Oviedo went seven. What more do you want from a starter?
Didn’t complaint about Oviedo, just will like a game where we are like 5 up and someone like DeJong could pitch 2+ to ended. The bullpen has been strained this past 6 games. Love for Bednar, Holderman, Moreta, Ramirez to get two days off.
Thursday is an off day, and everyone should be available tomorrow. Still, Keller with a QS is always a good idea.
Thank you Cutch!
Dang Peterson had to snag that ball that Hedges hit with his bare hand. Bae Scores easily if he doesn’t grab that.
This bullpen is missing two arms. You could live with one of Z, Perdomo and De Jong but not all 3. Would love to see them grab a good lefty and then bring up mlodinski.
Thank you A’s for not taking that walk Bucs were giving you.
Twice.
Amen
Friendly reminder every team has days the bullpen doesn’t do its job. But it still sucks to watch. Especially when it’s against the worst team in MLB.
Z faced his three batters. Get him out.
Z man doesn’t need to be in the circle of trust.
Oh the joy. This game is going to be rough to the finish isn’t it?
Time to send Z-man packing. Perhaps give Stratton a shot?
Not saying this based on this outing, but we don’t need 3 lefties in the pen so yeah.
I like Yerry De Los Santos and am hoping Carmon Mlodzinski isn’t too far away. Hunter Stratton is not a bad choice either.
Any of the three would be better than Z-man and DeJong.
Is Zas all we have out of the pen? What even is the pen now?
Rule 5 should be available. Not sure about Perdomo.
DeJong is available and everybody else is on one or zero days rest?
Damn hayes 110 right into the ground. Along with his two recent bombs, he is definitely getting more 95+ in the air, just a little more progress and that 110 in the air could be something to see
That DP will be one of the 11 plays on the A’s 2023 highlight film.
Meet your 2023 Pirates. They’ve perfected the art of walking with RISP.
Let’s Go Bucs!
Now I know what it’s like watching the 2023 Pirates playing the 2020-2022 Pirates
Bummer that Pittsburgh kid Mason Miller is injured and wont pitch for the A’s this series, but he has a lot of talent and could give the team trouble so maybe good from a record perspective
Let’s not forget about Oviedo grinding out 7 no matter how this shakes out. That is big for today and tomorrow.
Two guts starts in a row from our SP giving the pen a much needed breather
Just what the doctor ordered. Seven from the starter.
A little shaky but, yes, we’ll take it
Exactly
10 walks!!
Heck of a smart move by Cutch, making sure to give Hedges extra time to score.
Good hold by the 3rd base coach as well. ( didn’t see him hold Cutch until the replay )
it’s a walk-a-thon
This is not good baseball. It’s not enjoyable to watch this type of game play out. I feel pity for A’s fans.
Damn, this guy throws hard. No idea where it is going, but still.
He’s wild, but he’s not Arky.
Oooohhhhh awfully close. I’ll take it.
Damn 8 base runners through 5 and just one to show for it, hoping we get a few big hits here
Greg Brown second guessing everything is getting a little tiring.
Brown is just plain tired . . . hard to listen to Walker drone and Brown babble.
Finally, the A’s made a play as bad as the Pirates, and we scored a run!
It’s one thing for hedges to be batting 175, it’s a totally another for it to be at this point of the season to have no homers, thats the only thing i was hoping for from the guy, please BC drop this guy already and call up Endy.
I’m with you. Hedges has had 5 season with at least 300 at bats. He has hit double digit homers in 4 of those seasons.
No matter who gets called up. Hedges will be still playing cause the pitching staff loves him behind the plate.
Pretty awesome slide there from Mathias
Hedges would do less damage if he just walked up to the plate without a bat. A real one hit wonder. One hit a week.
Welp, he got on and scored the go ahead run…..so there’s that…..
Oviedo has not looked comfortable at all tonight. Pressing from the start.