The Pirates look to bounce back from their series loss against the Oakland Athletics this weekend, as they take on the New York Mets. Despite having more money to work with than God, the Mets have a 30-33 record, and sit fourth in the NL East. The Pirates are currently 32-29, and in second place in the NL Central.
Highlights from the minor league schedule include starts from Sean Sullivan in Altoona and Braxton Ashcraft in Greensboro. We’ve covered each pitcher’s success recently, which you can find in the links below.
PIRATES GAME PREVIEWS
PIRATES (32-29) VS METS
Game Time: 7:05 PM EST
Pirates Starter: Rich Hill, LHP (5-5, 4.41)
Mets Starter: Tylor Megill, RHP (5-3, 4.40)
Pirates Lineups:
Game 1 vs the Mets.
📺 AT&T SportsNet
📻 93.7 The Fan | The PRN#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/sFiVYxWbs0— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 9, 2023
Mets Lineups:
Game one in the Steel City. #LGM
🆚 Pittsburgh
💪 Tylor Megill
📺 @SNYtv
📻 @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/05DCgsIiNx— New York Mets (@Mets) June 9, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS (28-31) VS OMAHA
Game Time: 7:05 PM EST
Projected Starter: Kent Emanuel, LHP (4-1, 6.08)
Latest Features:
6/7: Aaron Shackelford adjusts swing and relocates power
6/6: Carmen Mlodzinski improves all the way with aggressive approach
5/26: Potential Plan For Jared Triolo Becoming More Clear
ALTOONA (28-24) AT RICHMOND
Game Time: 6:35 PM EST
Projected Starter: Cameron Junker, RHP
Latest Features:
6/9: Jared Jones Continues Incredible Development With Altoona
6/1: Matt Gorski Displays Athleticism And Versatility
5/25: Sean Sullivan Continues To Thrive In Altoona
GREENSBORO (29-23) VS WILMINGTON
Game Time: 6:30 PM EST
Projected Starter: Braxton Ashcraft, RHP (0-2, 3.79)
Latest Features:
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 (28-26) VS DUNEDIN
Game Time: 6:30 PM EST
Projected Starter: TBA
Latest Features:
6/9: Ryan Harbin: Sinker/Slider Mix Dominating Single-A Hitters
6/3: Thomas Harrington Displayed Swing and Miss Secondary in Bradenton
5/30: With May Ending, Shalin Polanco Heading In Right Direction
FCL PIRATES (1-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM EST
Projected Starter: Isaias Uribe, LHP (2023 Debut)
DSL PIRATES BLACK (0-3)
Game Time: 10:30 AM EST
Projected Starter: Carlos Mateo, RHP (Pro Debut)
**Pirates 2023 Minor League Previews: Dominican Summer League Pirates
DSL PIRATES GOLD (2-1)
Game Time: 10:30 AM EST
Projected Starter: Yojeiry Osoria, LHP (2023 Debut)
**Pirates 2023 Minor League Previews: Dominican Summer League Pirates
DAILY PIRATES NEWS
There was a roster move prior to today’s game. Vince Velasquez also got bad news. A minor league starting pitcher lands on the IL.
Pirates Notebook: Pirates DFA Chase De Jong; Recall Canaan Smith-Njigba
Anthony Murphy looked at the sinker/slider mix from Single-A pitcher Ryan Harbin.
**Ryan Harbin: Sinker/Slider Mix Dominating Single-A Hitters
MLB Pipeline released their latest mock draft.
**New Mock Draft from MLB Pipeline
Anthony Murphy saw Jared Jones in action last night, and wrote about his development with Altoona.
**Pirates Prospects Daily: Jared Jones Continues Incredible Development With Altoona
More Recent Pirates Features
6/8: What’s Next For The Pirates Rotation?
6/4: Williams: Endy Rodriguez, Henry Davis, and the Pirates’ Catcher of the Future
6/2: Pirates Business: Examining the Super Two “Deadline”
PIRATES RECAP
Final Score: Pirates 14, Mets 7
Player of the Game: Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B (5-for-5, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R, SB)
Recap: The Steelers beat the Jets by a score of…
Wait, that’s the wrong sport.
Ke’Bryan Hayes had a big night at the plate, going 5-for-5, knocking in four runs, and scoring three. With the Pirates down 1-0 in the second, Hayes got things going with a one-out single. With two outs, he stole third base as part of a double steal, with Ji-Hwan Bae taking second after an earlier walk. Both scored after an Austin Hedges double, giving the Pirates the lead.
The Mets tied the score in the top of the third, but Hayes came up big again in the bottom half of that frame. With one out and the bases loaded, Hayes hit a two run single to left. The line drive over a leaping shortstop was a continuation of a recent trend where Hayes has been lifting the ball to the pull side more often with his usual hard contact. This hit was followed by a wild play where two runs scored and Ji-Hwan Bae reached third after a bunt. Bae scored one play later on a Josh Palacios single, capping off the five run inning.
The Pirates wouldn’t relinquish their lead, and Hayes wouldn’t quit. After a Jack Suwinski double brought in another run in the fourth inning, Hayes followed with a double of his own, bringing in two. Again, it was a hard hit to the pull side, on a low and inside pitch, which seems to be happening a lot with him lately.
Hayes doubled in the sixth inning, and scored on another Josh Palacios single as the Pirates added two more runs. They added two more again in the eighth inning on back-to-back solo homers from Carlos Santana and Jack Suwinski. Hayes added a single on a line drive to right, picking up hits to all fields. The Mets scored five in the top of the ninth, but the Pirates entered the inning with a 12 run lead, so some damage was allowed.
The win tonight was an all-around team effort, led by Hayes on offense and Rich Hill on the mound. The veteran starter went seven innings for the first time this season, and didn’t give up a run after the third inning. He threw 119 pitches, while mostly working with a very comfortable lead. Rob Zastryzny got five of the final six outs, before David Bednar came on for some easy work after having last pitched on Sunday. Bednar gave up two runs, but got the final out in a non-save situation.
-Tim Williams
PIRATES PROSPECT WATCH
By John Dreker
TRIPLE-A: INDIANAPOLIS
Final Score: Omaha 6, Indianapolis 2
Player of the Game: Nick Gonzales 2-for-5, HR, RBI
Recap:
Indianapolis dropped Friday night’s game by a 6-2 score. Starter Kent Emanuel lasted six innings, though he allowed five runs on nine hits. Yerry De Los Santos allowed one run over two frames, with four hits and four strikeouts. Duane Underwood Jr threw a shutout inning. The three Indianapolis pitchers combined for zero walks.
Nick Gonzales had two hits, including his sixth homer of the season. Henry Davis played right field, going 1-for-5 with a single. Endy Rodriguez went 1-for-4 with a single.
Miguel Andujar collected his 14th double. He has a 1.007 OPS.
Cal Mitchell went 1-for-4 with an RBI. Jared Triolo went 0-for-4.
DOUBLE-A: ALTOONA
Final Score: Altoona 4, Richmond 3
Player of the Game: Matt Gorski 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Recap:
Matt Gorski connected on his eighth home run of the year, as Altoona won 4-3 over Richmond. Gorski’s homer was a two-run shot in the third inning. He also picked up an outfield assist.
Liover Peguero had two hits, a walk and a run scored. He hit his 14th double and stole his 14th base.
Mason Martin and Drew Maggi each had an RBI.
Altoona struck out 14 times in the game.
Cameron Junker got the start in place of Sean Sullivan, who was placed on the Injured List. Junker allowed two runs over two innings, with one of those runs being earned.
Justin Meis returned from the Development List to allow one run over three innings. Juan Minaya lowered his ERA to 1.48 with two scoreless.
Oliver Garcia picked up his fifth win by retiring all five batters he faced, while stranding the bases loaded in the eighth inning.
HIGH-A: GREENSBORO
Final Score: Greensboro 6, Wilmington 0
Player of the Game: Tsung-Che Cheng 3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Recap:
Greensboro won 6-0 over Wilmington, with six pitchers taking part in the shutout. Starter Braxton Ashcraft had seven strikeouts over 3.1 innings, though he allowed seven base runners, which limited his night. Jaycob Deese was the best among the large group of relievers, tossing two shutout frames.
Tsung-Che Cheng had himself a night, connecting on his eighth homer. He had two runs and two RBIs, in addition to two singles and a walk. He now has a .999 OPS for the season.
Will Matthiessen reached base all four times up, with two hits and two walks. He hit his fifth homer.
Jase Bowen slugged his 11th home run of the season, which drove in a pair of runs.
Ernny Ordonez, Sammy Siani and Tres Gonzalez each had two hits.
SINGLE-A: BRADENTON
Final Score: Bradenton 6, Dunedin 4
Player of the Game: Jack Brannigan 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, SB
Recap:
Bradenton won 6-4 over Dunedin. Starter Alessandro Ercolani went 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits, while recording nine strikeouts. He now has a 5.35 ERA in 35.1 innings, with 35 strikeouts.
Carlos Lomeli followed with 1.2 scoreless, recording all five outs on strikeouts. Brandan Bidois got the win with a shutout frame in the seventh. Elijah Birdsong gave up two runs over the final two innings, yet he still picked up the save. The four pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts.
Jack Brannigan continued to stay hot since returning recently from an early season injury. He connected on his fifth homer, a three-run shot in the seventh. He also stole his tenth base.
The rest of the Bradenton lineup was fairly quiet. Brannigan’s homer was the only extra-base hit. Enmanuel Terrero and Geovanny Planchart each had a hit and a walk.
Deivis Nadal came in as a pinch-runner in the eighth, stole two bases and scored a run. He has 15 steals.
Termarr Johnson and Rodolfo Nolasco each went 0-for-4. Johnson put the ball in play each time, but Nolasco had three strikeouts.
ROOKIE: FCL PIRATES
Final Score: Pirates 12, Orioles 3
Player of the Game: Josh Sightler 2-for-3, 2 RBI, BB, HBP, 4 Runs
Recap:
Starter Isaias Uribe benefited from plenty of support, but he helped out too with one run over 4.1 innings in the 12-3 win over the Orioles. Four relievers combined to allowed two runs over the final 4.2 innings.
The Pirates scored three runs in the third inning on a Jhonson Pena homer and a two-run single by Rafael Escalante.
Jauri Custodi doubled in a run in the fifth, then tripled in a run in the seventh. Josh Sightler and Eybert Escalona each singled in runs in the seventh. Escalona and Sightler picked up RBIs on a ground out (Escalona) and hit-by-pitch. Wild pitches brought home two more runs.
Kelvin Diaz double in an insurance run late.
Sightler reached base four times and came around to score each time.
The Pirates had many of their top hitting prospects on the bench.
ROOKIE: DSL PIRATES BLACK
Final Score: Pirates 8, Rangers 5
Player of the Game: Carlos Caro 1-for-4, 3 RBI
Recap:
The Pirates won a battle of winless teams on Friday, taking an 8-5 win over the Rangers. This looked like the game to follow on paper because top pitcher prospect Carlos Mateo was making his pro debut. He had a start to his career that can only get better.
Mateo allowed five earned runs on two hits and three walks, while recording just two outs before being removed. The Pirates then scored the only other runs of the game after the first inning.
Jarlen De La Paz, Nicolas Carreno, Janderson Linares andYoerys Hernandez tossed 8.1 shutout innings.
The Pirates got two runs in the second on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch, followed by a walk. They added runs in the fourth on a Joenelly Van Der Linden double, followed by a Carlos Caro ground out.
They scored a pair of runs in the sixth on singles by Caro and Miguel Rodriguez. Joseph Sequera doubled in a run to make it 7-5. The final run scored on a wild pitch.
Sequera had three hits. Caro had three RBIs.
ROOKIE: DSL PIRATES GOLD
Final Score: Pirates 5, Tigers 4
Player of the Game: Yojeiry Osoria 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO
Recap:
Starter Yojeiry Osoria debuted with four shutout innings on one hit, one walk and three strikeouts. This is his third season in the DSL, though he did well last year in limited action, posting a 2.84 ERA in 12.2 innings.
Jose Regalado allowed one run over two innings. Rafael Mendez and Greiber Mendez (no relation) combined for three runs over the final four innings, but all of the runs were unearned.
The Pirates trailed at four different points in this game, but they pulled out a 5-4 win. Eduardo Oviedo homered for their first run. A Ruben Vizcaya single tied the score in the eighth.
Juan Machado singled to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. Samuel Escudero tied the score with a double in the tenth, then Fabian Urbina won the game with a sacrifice fly.
Vizcaya, Escudero and Edwarli Brioso each had two hits.
+ postsTim is the owner, producer, editor, and lead writer of PiratesProspects.com. He has been running Pirates Prospects since 2009, becoming the first new media reporter and outlet covering the Pirates at the MLB level in 2011 and 2012. His work can also be found in Baseball America, where he has been a contributor since 2014 and the Pirates' correspondent since 2019.
I thought Mitchell was a bad outfielder but yesterday’s missed catch by Smith N that almost hit him in the face was Scary bad!Can either of them actually field the position?
It looked bad, but it’s very possible it was in the lights. If it was, that’s a helpless feeling.
Anybody else wake up this morning and realize the Pirates have a real championship contender type core in Mercano, Reynolds, Hayes and Suwinski? They’re a SS, a CF and a power hitting 1B away from a World Series. And a pair of power hitting catchers in AAA? This is the first REAL chance the Pirates have had to build a championship team since ’90-’91. If Pittsburgh baseball fans will fill that stadium and help pay for a couple free agent pitchers over the next 2-3 years, Nutting will have no choice but to dig into that deep pocket and pull out a couple free agent starters.
World Series? They need arms for that to happen. I like the core of Hayes, Reynolds, suwinski and Cruz. Marcano is a nice little player but he’s not part of any core.
Pretty amazing with what’s going on with Hayes. His entire approach changed from trying to hit everything the other way to full pull approach. He’s rip and and grip it and it’s what he needed to do.
Of course they need arms but you gotta score runs and these kids might be a big part of the ticket to ride.
read the article on mlb.com, he went to a Toe-tap on June 1st
I don’t think Marcano is a core guy (could be wrong) but looks to be an ideal super utility player. I have confidence in his defense and he is showing a little power with the bat. If he starts hitting LHPers he has a chance to be a regular, might be all around the field. Second base is the only position I can see him being part of the core but he needs to keep improving.
No. Absolutely not. Marcano is not more than a bench piece on any championship team, Suwinski is a platoon player, and Reynolds is a starter and not a pivotal piece. Just being realistic. They are solid players on a .500 team. Not saying they can’t become more, but they aren’t more until they prove otherwise. We don’t currently have a single all-star caliber postiion player right now, average championship teams have 3. Just reality.
I disagree. Marcano and Suwinski are rapidly improving. Reynolds is a pivotal piece and Hayes is just starting to blossom. In two years those four players will be ALL STARS!
Suwinsky improved from a fringe major leaguer to a great platoon piece. Marcano is a serviceable backup middle infielder where as last year he was a AAA player. Reynolds hasn’t improved at all and is a fringe all-star
Time will tell but a young, potential 35 HR hitting outfielder is not a fringe major leaguer and that was clear last year. Back up middle infielders don’t hit like Marcano and Reynolds is a stud.
I mean he was sent down barely hitting .200 after his amazing start. I’m not arguing with you, but 2022 was 2022. He was a fringe major leaguer last year. Lots of players have 35 HR power, that means very little if they K 40% of the time and go 0-30 against lefties. I think you may need to look a little harder around the league to get some perspective, right now you are just a fanboy.,
He was sent down to protect him because he was struggling. There is no doubt that he will be given a shot even with a 200+ K year. If the Pirates didn’t realize what they have he wouldn’t have gone north with the team based on his Spring Training. But easy power like his doesn’t come along everyday and you give it every chance to succeed. And it looks like he might. With a swing like that he will learn to hit LHP Probably still sit him against tough LHers but he’ll learn to hit lefties just like he did last night
his 2 hits were fastballs right down the middle. When he hits an off-speed pitch i’ll have more hope
I think that was off speed against Carrasco but until he can hit a 96 fastball against a good lefty you’re right, he’ll be a platoon OFer.
You may be right, but there’s no harm in giving him a chance to prove he can be more than that.
which doesn’t go against anything I said. I agree 100% with that
Find me another young player who skipped AAA and hit 19 HR’s in 326 AB’s and build a profile on that and call him a “fringe major leaguer.” Add what he’s done so far this year and you call that a fringe player? Wow! And I’ve been called a ‘fan boy’ before but only about my stud German Wirehaired Pointer named “Max”.
I didn’t call what he’s done THIS year as being a fringe major leaguer, I said LAST year he was. If you want to debate with me, I do require you to actually read what I write with accuracy
Now you’re just being bitchy and picking at tense and suggestion. I began this with a note that the Pirates have a solid core of young players who give them the best chance in 30+ years to compete for a shot at the WS and you come back at me saying they’re mediocre at best and fringe at the moment. Back off boogaloo and enjoy the moment. The kids have given this franchise hope and you wanna crush my high and tell me they suck. You must be fun to watch a game with.
Its not my fault you can’t read. Obviously 2022 isn’t 2023 so yeah, tense is kinda important dude. This core that you spelled out does NOT give us a chance to compete for a WS, it does give us a chance at a .500 team, and if Cruz comes back the same player, and Keller pitches how he did up until 2 weeks ago…..that’s a start. another top end pitcher, and one of our catchers panning out is crucial to this team becoming more than a wildcard hopeful. Then what we end up doing with our logjam at 2nd base, how do we profit from that from a deal or two? These are the things we need to happen to have a shot, this team is not built to compete in a playoff series, the pitching isn’t there. Sorry, its reality
This team is barely ready to finish .500 but I believe that Suwinski, Reynolds, Hayes and Marcano are a great core. If Cruz, Davis and Rodriquez pan out, add some pitching, hope Keller and Bednar remain top shelf and you’ve got a contender.
And I don’t read very carefully when I’m loaded and scanning. Even brilliance has its limits.
I’m still confused on what you think Marcano is the core of……..he’ll be backing up short and 2nd, best case scenario. He has no job once Cruz comes back. Already have Bae, Castro fighting for playing time with Gonzales and Peguero next up if someone gets dealt. Although I think Gonzalez will be dealt personally
Are you sure you really want me to do that? Pretty sure I can come up with about 10 players that have done that in the recent past….Its not that rare for players to skip AAA and hit homers when they come up. Not rare at all. What is rare, is them staying in the majors for long when they hit .200. His 2022 WAR would definitely take away any doubt about being a fringe major leaguer last year. he WAS sent to AAA for awhile, and it wasn’t due to service time. He all hoped he would be better in 2023, and he has been. Now he’s a solid average major league player with Plus power and we all hope he will continue to improve
Some of that power in the minors came from the bat of Tsung-Che Cheng, our 5’7″ 155 lb MI at A+. He homered for the 8th time which is 2 more than he homered at Bradenton in almost 400 AB last year, and has already matched the number of triples he hit last year with 7.
Cheng also has an excellent understanding of the strike zone – to date, he has walked 32 times with only 35 K’s. What else does he do? Presently fielding .988 at 2B, and .978 at SS. He’ll turn 22 in July. Why not Peguero at SS and Cheng at 2B in Altoona to start July? The others playing 2B at Altoona in addition to Peguero, are pedestrian at best.
Cheng is definitely a strong candidate for a summer promotion. As you outlined, he is a well-rounded player who should be challenged by tougher competition in a more difficult hitting environment than Greensboro.
Glad to see the Bucs “hang on” for the 7 run win. When our Manager starts to make late game changes, instead of taking out the best defensive player on the field (Hayes), I think it would be better to concentrate on the folks who are struggling defensively. That 9th inning error by Bae is his 5th error at 2B, and 8th error overall. It was especially costly in that we burnt our Closer in the aftermath.
Still thinking the Pirates need to consider a trade of one of our 2B/Utility players. The Mariners are 2 games under .500. Kolten Wong, 2B, (424 OPS) has already been benched, and Eugenio Suarez, 3B, is batting .206/.622 OPS with only 6 HR and 76 K’s. Our strongest fielding 2B, who also plays 3B well is a switchhitter hitting near an .800 OPS. Seattle is loaded with SP’s and have RHSP Bryan Woo at AA. Get that done Ben!
Right now, Castro’s too valuable to trade unless the Pirates can swing a solid starting pitcher which seems like a stretch for Rudy. For a team as left handed hitting heavy as the Pirates, a guy like Castro is a needed piece. And I still think he’s on rolling skates on the bases and the god child of Lonnie Smith.
Yeah, I can’t argue with that, plus Castro has been doing much better against righties lately. His left handed swing is actually pretty good, I’m not giving up on him. He just needs the AB’s
I’ve been thinking Ben needs to target Seattle for a trade as well. They also have pick 30 as well as some pitching depth that might not be top tier but inning eaters.
All you on here blathering on about Bednar need to chill. He hasn’t pitched for a while and ran into a little trouble. Hey they won stop fuckin complaining!
As the self-appointed spokesman for the peanut gallery, let me say, you’re not the boss of us, we’ll whine and complain if we want to. Even in a blowout win.
-Grumpy Old Man
Sorry I got in late last night and was quite innebreated. Could be I overstated my feelings a bit.
I want you to pour your drunken soul out on the page and tell us what you really, really mean
What I really, really mean is enjoy the wins because they have been so infrequent in the past 8 years or so. Obviously you have the right to say whatever you want so for that I stand corrected. One last thing. STAY OFF OF MY LAWN!
I’ll just the graze the goats for a few hours on it. Leave some fertilizer
In a non-save situation, where every run given up will be an unearned run. Good opportunity to allow him to give up meaningless runs.
We are supposed to think like him and act like him or get out of his country.
That seems a little strong my friend.
Point taken, I apologize.
20 pitches for one out, and Bednar won’t be available for one of next two games. Dumb decision to bring him in for that last out.
Let’s not be overly dramatic. He’ll be fine to pitch Sunday, Sally.
You guys that b*tch and moan about the manager are clueless.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen more whining over a 7 run win.
4D chess. No need to bring in closer if the bats can score double digit runs & the starter can pitch QS the next game too!
Now that was interesting…… Yay Bucs win!?!?!??
Never been so disappointed in a 7-run win.
Shelton consistently inconsistent. Literally pulling your star players out to bring in your All Star with 2 outs in a blowout.
what exactly is the problem? He needed to pitch. And you see why.
Then why didn’t they give him an inning on Wednesday, knowing full well they had an off day on Thursday. Why did he wait until there’s 2 outs in the ninth. What if his first pitch gets a routine out. Why not give him the ninth with a clean slate. To bring him in with 2 outs in the ninth with a big lead was stupid, only bad could come from it, nothing positive.
Exactly–if he needed to pitch, you give him a clean 9th. If Zastryzny had done his job, Bednar obviously wouldn’t have come in, so Shelton didn’t really think he needed to pitch. Instead, Shelton panicked that his decision to remove his stars and count the game in the win column was going to lead to a historic embarrassment (it wasn’t, because the lead was still huge but I still think he panicked because things went off script).
The holes in the Jolly Roger are appropriate for this game……
What going on
Call me old school, but I’m never a fan of bringing the closer in for a non save situation.
2 outs in a blow out is just …. I don’t know the stupidity. Shelton you are literally taking your other best players out of the game, so you bring in your All Star closer with nothing to gain only lose.
Bednar runs off adrenaline. Hard for him to pitch in that situation. E-Shelton.
you do realize that there was no downside here, no chance of ERA increasing, no chance of losing the game. He just needed work, thats all.
If he needed work, you bring him in to start the 9th.
I don’t think it matters much either way, but I can’t argue with bringing him in to start the 9th.
What is the obsession with having him start the inning? I ask this for any reliever. It’s inflexible.
In this case, it was the only way to guarantee Bednar would get work in, if that was something Shelton wanted. It’s fine if the understanding was that Bednar was the next in line if things started getting out of hand, it just doesn’t make sense to suggest that using Bednar was part of a plan to get him some work.
In general, it gives a reliever a routine for warming up between innings instead of possibly rushing. Us fans like to pooh-pooh routines but I’ve been struck about how this administration used to talk about being flexible in that they’d look at matchups, perhaps bringing in Bednar in the 8th if that was when the best hitters were due up. This season that seems to have changed to where they’re opting for routine, something Hurdle and others used to stress–Holderman gets the 8th, Bednar the 9th, and we’re looking for a 7th-inning guy after Stephenson couldn’t hold that spot.
Keep trying to convince yourself. There is a game Saturday (or Sunday) that the outcome could be affected by not having Bednar available.
Anytime you put a closer in to get work, thats a possibility. Every single manager in the entire league does it. Its a risk that must be balanced. What good is having him available if he’s not sharp? This is why managers exist. At the end of the day, this almost certainly was the outcome of a conversation that he had directly with bednar at some point in the very recent past, not a random in-game decision
One more hit and he needs to be pulled.
time to fire shelton again
Ummm, good thing we got those insurance runs…..
Great move by Shelton, as usual.
Unbelievable that Shelton would pull such a stupid move. I thought he had managed better this year but this is a a horrendous mistake. Don’t care that he hasn’t pitched since Sunday. I would fire him tonight.
Whom exactly cares that he came in and gave up a few runs. Why do you care about this? its relevant to what exactly?
The Mets announcers were speechless when he came to relieve Z……
What the…???
Really CSN?
Why Bednar?
Needs work I guess?
I stopped trying to think like Shelton long ago.
Been a while since he pitched last.
Hayes – .266/.309/.425 tonight. .221/.275/.344 after Seattle series 12 days ago.
Makes you want to dream on his bat waking up for the rest of the year and developing into our best player on the team.
rest of his career (contract at least)
I’ll start with a season. Lol.
Ke 5 for 5!
5 for 5 for 5 WAR Hayes!
Looked like Jack went with the 8 iron on that one.
Zas time
Great job Mr. Hill
Shelton just didn’t wanna get yelled at again by Rich. Let him finish lol
What the hell is Shelton doing leaving Mountain in?
It’s not like we have 4 starting pitching options hurt… I don’t get it
Surprised to see Hill out there for another inning. Not that he’s going to throw his arm off at 80 mph, but the 5 guys they have need to go 20 starts each going forward.
they also need to go deep in games. and there’s no chance those guys are all going to go 20 starts, there will need to be a call up or dumpster dive before end of season
How many pitches are they going to let him throw?
Hopefully not more than 115.
Ok 120
I’m looking forward to the day Hayes becomes a major league hitter; these video game stats can’t be real.
Hayes and Suwinski hitting like this and now Palacios.
Another hit off of a lefty for Suwinski?!?
As a lefty whom always hated hitting off lefties, this isn’t hard. Its all about pitch recognition. As long as you can tell the difference between a fastball and a slider, you don’t swing at sliders…..ever…..and you look for the first fastball over the plate you see. Today he did that. Too many lefties are taking strikes against lefties, you cannot EVER have that approach to take a fastball over the plate if you want to hit lefties. Simple
Jack on base against LHP again
Dick Mountain = Old ass Ace!
Nice work Mr. Hill.
Marte Parte
Ashcraft with a strong showing today!
It’s hard to measure what influence Cutch and the other veterans have added, but I believe it has led to the winning record so far at the least.
Marcano joins the party. Everyone in the lineup now with a hit.
MLB’s June Juggernaut, the homeless A’s, are beating the Brew Crew 3-0.
I still remember being 5-1 against the dodgers last year. Baseball just doesn’t make sense sometimes.
I was thinking that the whole time the A’s were taking care of them.
Couldve kept de jong up for this one it seems like
Let’s not go crazy now.
Yeah, DeJong in the game would most likely mean it would be a 14-12 nail biter now……
Holy shit jack 115 off a LHP!
Ke!!!! The parade continues!!
Hayes keeps hitting this good, he might win himself a gold glove.
Easy Brownie/ Walk. Lol.
This game feels like April again.
Jack Jack, off a lefty no less 😁
Suwinski with the double off of a lefty?!?
Man, I miss Marte in a bucco uniform.
Maybe the Mets will be sellers this year.
Wouldn’t that be hilarious.
I got his uniform in the off-season before his 50 game steroid ban…I don’t really “miss” him.
Lol. Eh, I get it but that doesn’t bother me. He was critical to the Pirates 3 year tear. I got to meet him in an Arby’s (lol) in Oakland in 2013 and he was super nice.
Is this his first game back?
Idk? I would think prob not.
Bae up to a .280 batting average
Stunning with the way a lot of people talk down about him. He’s been one of our best / most productive players on the team. 16 stolen bases. Curious what his WAR is because I feel we lose a couple games this year with Kevin Newman or somebody else in there instead.
Got a FWAR of 0.4
Which is 0.1 behind Marciano and 0.1 ahead of Castro
BWar is .2 and fWAR is .4. Both like his offense and hate his defense, which seems to match the eye test.
Whoop whoop!!!
It’s mayhem out there, baby!
Mets are imploding. Hard to play good defense with a fat wallet it seems.
That .988 fielding percentage agrees with you. Lol
Hayes is locked and loaded, baby!
He seemed to be looking slider in that at bat, took to fastballs down the middle.
Yep. He hit a pitchers pitch. Good to see. Real good to see.