PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He signed with the Pirates for $2.5 million, which is a bargain for a left-handed starter. Tyler Anderson is making it one of the best free-agent value signings this off-season through four starts. Anderson worked through five innings again on Wednesday afternoon striking out seven, walking two while giving up a pair of runs in a 3-2 afternoon win in Detroit. The first game of a doubleheader.
"He was good again today, mixing and matching on a tough day to grip the baseball," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. "He went out there and executed pitches and continue to pitch throughout the whole game. The fact he was able to use everything effectively. Really solid effort, first game of a doubleheader to be able to give us five (innings). It was very impressive."
The Las Vegas native did it in freezing temperatures which caused the baseball to be slick.
"Just tried to make an adjustment and start pitches somewhere else or try to really finish them to not let it slip," Anderson said.
His numbers, albeit it just in April, are nearly identical to Charlie Morton. At least on the field, the financials aren't close. Morton makes $15 million as a free agent this year. Anderson's numbers, so far, are much better than Dallas Keuchel ($18.5 million), Lance McCullers ($17 million) and Madison Bumgarner ($17 million).
"He's deceptive," Shelton said. "He's got the double, triple pumps and kind of hides the ball. The execution in his game plan has been very good. An all right-handed hitting lineup, to be able to go through that and go through it pretty effectively was pretty important."
Kyle Crick dominate again for a 1-2-3 sixth inning, in 7.1 innings this year, Crick allowed one hit, no runs with six strikeouts.
Richard Rodriguez with a perfect 7th inning for his first save since Opening Day. Rodriguez also hasn't allowed a run through 7.1 innings with only one hit and seven strikeouts.
How they scored
Pirates got their only runs in the fourth inning after a couple singles, Bryan Reynolds drove him Adam Frazier with a single to right. Colin Moran goes the other way and nearly gets it through the shift as Zack Short with diving stop to get Moran, but Evans scored. Erik Gonzalez with a soft liner to left center scored Reynolds.
Pittsburgh Kid
"I want to congratulate Neil Walker on an unbelievable career," Shelton said. "A kid from Pittsburgh being able to play in Pittsburgh, real cool. I stand next to his brother-in-law every day (Donnie Kelly)."
"Any time you get a switch-hitter to do what he did. The type of person and teammate he is. When you play in your hometown, we've talked about that with Bednar. His family got some history in this town. That's really cool. I want to congratulate him on a really nice career."
