Johan Oviedo turned in a stellar performance last night as the Pirates kicked off their road trip to Missouri in style. Here’s Joe Block.
Manager Derek Shelton said his initial inclination was to take Oviedo out after eight innings, but some lobbying by catcher Endy Rodriguez changed his mind, so he sent his starter back out to the mound for the 9th inning, since he’d managed his pitch count so well.
It was only the third time in his four seasons as Pirates manager that Shelton sent a starter to the mound for the 9th inning. (Stephen Brault and Mitch Keller were the others, and they both earned the win.)
Johan Oviedo says he’s scuffled at times this year, so last night’s performance was gratifying.
Ke’Bryan Hayes had a big night at the plate and in the field for the Bucs, but for him, it was all about Oviedo.
MLB
Dodgers star pitcher Tony Gonsolin will undergo Tommy John surgery on Friday and will miss the 2024 season. The former All-Star game starter was 8-5 with a 4.98 ERA this season. LA has also lost starting pitchers Walker Buehler (last season) and Dustin May (this season) with the same elbow surgery.
ALTOONA CURVE
Altoona opens a six-game series in Erie tonight. The Curve will throw right-hander Aaron Shortridge, who is coming off a five-inning, one-run outing last Wednesday. Shortridge is in his second year back since having Tommy John surgery. After averaging around five runs per nine innings for the season’s first four months, he’s 4-0 with a 1.73 ERA in August.
