Final Score: Pirates 4 Yankees 2
Why The Pirates Won: The Yankees rested 4 regulars including Aaron Judge which enabled the Pirates to pull out a 4-2 win. The Pirates managed only 6 hits to go along with 5 walks, but only had 2 at bats with runners in scoring position. Bryan Reynolds hit 2 home runs, including a 2-run shot in the top of the 8th to give the Pirates a 4-2 lead, that the bullpen protected easily against the B squad. Jared Jones pitched 4 and 1/3 innings giving up 5 hits, 2 walks and was charged with 2 runs thanks to Joey (There He) Wentz. After Wentz got out of the way the bullpen did not give up a hit over the last 3 and 2/3 innings. Can the Pirates make it to 66 wins? Be still my beating heart.
Key Moment Of The Game: The game was scoreless going into the bottom of the 5th. The Yankees opened the inning with 2 sharp line drives that put runners on 2nd and 3rd with no one out. Jones got the next batter to hit a weak ground ball to short to get the first out, with no advancement of the runners. It was a shame that at that moment Derek The Fox woke up. He decided to walk Juan Soto and then remove Jared Jones, who was visibly upset at the move. He was probably more upset because Shelton was bringing in Wentz. Right away on a beautiful cutter right out over the plate, Jazz Chisholm ripped a single to center driving in 2 runs and putting runners on 1st and 2nd. The Yankees pulled off a double steal and Wentz walked the next batter on 6 pitches with the 4 balls not even close to the strike zone to load the bases. Miraculously, he got Alex Verdugo to pop out to short centerfield. He went 3 and 2 on Anthony Volpe. Wentz pretty much grooved a 94 MPH fastball that Volpe drilled 107 MPH, the hardest hit ball of the inning, but right to Billy Cook for the final out. It looked like the Yankees might put up a big crooked number and wound up getting just 2 runs. Derek The Fox comes through again.
Next Game: This afternoon, Yankees in New York. Paul Skenes makes his final start of the season, and I have the feeling the Yankees will be putting the A team on the field today. Many people are saying that with a big performance here, Skenes could wrap up the rookie of the year. No matter what he does today it will be a close race between him and Padre centerfielder Jackson Merrill. It would be nice to see Skenes mow the Yankees down. Have no fear Joey Wentz and Jalen Beeks are ready to come in when needed.
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 