The Pirates wrapped up their nine-game homestand with another win and a milestone hit for Andrew McCutchen. Greg Brown has the story.
Andrew McCutchen says he was happy to get his 2,000 career hit at PNC Park.
Cutch says the 2,000th hit was great, but the win was what made it a special day.
McCutchen says the win set up the Pirates for a big road trip.
Mets manager Buck Showalter says they had a tough time with Mitch Keller.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was happy for McCutchen.
The Pirates lead Milwaukee by one game in the National League Central Division and are off today before starting a stretch of nine straight games against division opponents. They’ll play three against the Cubs in Chicago, three in Milwaukee, and then come home to play three more against the Cubs.
After starting the year with eight legitimate options for the rotation, the Pirates are down to five arms. Mitch Keller, Rich Hill, Johan Oviedo, Luis Ortiz and Roansy Contreras are in the rotation now, but general manager Ben Cherington said on his show yesterday on WCCS that Contreras is going to pitch out of the bullpen to try to straighten out his problems. Cherington said someone will be recalled from Indianapolis, prompting speculation that 2019 number one draft choice Quinn Priester could finally make his Major League debut.
Starting pitchers JT Brubaker, Vince Velasquez, and Mike Burrows are all done for the year, all having had elbow surgery.
ALTOONA CURVE
Catcher Abrahan Gutierrez launched a two-run game-tying home run in the 9th inning, and the Altoona Curve came from behind to down Richmond, 5-4 and earn a split in the six-game series. In the 10th, Lolo Sanchez’s bunt single moved placed runner Matt Fraizer to third base, then Claudio Finol laid down a sacrifice bunt to bring Fraizer home with the winning run.
Travis McGregor was outstanding in relief again for the Curve, throwing three scoreless innings to get the win. He struck out five, including all three outs in the 9th after giving up a leadoff single, and he worked a perfect 10th inning.
The Curve are off today and move to Somerset, New Jersey to face the Yankees’ minor league Double-A affiliate for six games starting tomorrow.
