PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A night after a heads up play led to the winning run, a nightmare 3 errors for third baseman Erik Gonzalez as the Padres beat the Bucs 4-2 to win the series.
Starting pitcher JT Brubaker had the other error as the righty went five innings, giving up two runs-somehow both earned, walked three and struck out seven.
"Errors behind me really don't bother me, they happen," Brubaker said. "That's baseball. I made one myself today. Errors don't bother me, at all. I'm just trying to get action and get them moving again. Just let them know if doesn't bother me."
"They effected the game because they cost Brubaker pitches," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton of the errors. "Gonzo threw the one ball away, I don't agree with the call on that. I thought it was interference."
The Pirates have had a couple of runners called out for running inside the baseline this year. It appeared multiple Padres ran on the infield grass, Shelton said he would like those plays to be subject to review.
Bucs offense
A home run to the opposite field by Bryan Reynolds, his third, and then a sac fly by Ka'ai Tom tied the game in the sixth.
"It's pretty short out to left field here," Reynolds said of his HR. "I knew I got it good. I wasn't going to watch it and get my hopes up. I just hit it and started going and hoped he didn't catch it."
Duane Underwood gave up a two-run single on a 2-0 pitch to give the Padres the lead in the bottom of the 6th. The lead runner on via error.
As good as Richard Rodriguez has been, and he's been the best in baseball. Former Bucco Mark Melancon increased his Major League lead with his 11th save. His ERA is now 0.61.
Owen ouch
In his first game in the majors, 27-year-old Hunter Owen hit in the right hand by a pitch from Yu Darvish. Shelton said it's just a bruise, no broken bones. Owen was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts before the HBP. He would stay on the base, but leave the next half inning.
Ke'Bryan update
Ke'Bryan Hayes continues to take swings in what the team calls 'his return to swing hitting progression'. Seems like some positive steps for the preseason favorite as the NL Rookie of the Year
"That is going well at this point," said Pirates Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk Wednesday, "meaning he is not experiencing the discomfort, the soreness, the symptoms that he did per his re aggravation in Detroit."
"The short-term plan for Ke'Bryan is to continue to build up the swing volume in the cage. Will see how he responds and comes out of that. There is a goal that he hits on the field in the coming days hopefully later this week."
While the original plan was for Hayes to get some at bats at the alt site or rehab games. The team has not announced if he would go on a rehab assignment to the minors when ready. Tomczyk does believe he will need some type of rehab at bats before consideration of activating him.
Chad Kuhl close
Pirates Opening Day starter Chad Kuhl threw a second side session on Wednesday with the team in San Diego. At some point soon Kuhl and coaches will meet to determine his next move.
Kuhl may or may not make a rehab start. He could throw a simulated game and return after that.
The righty has been out since April 18, when he gave up 3 runs in 5 innings, with right shoulder soreness.
Minor League watch
· AAA CF Travis Swaggerty singled, stolen base, scored, also with RBI
· AAA reliever Nick Mears—0.1-IP/2-H/5-R/3-BB, ERA-135.00
· AA 1B Mason Martin RBI double
· High-A shortstop Liv Peguero led off the Greensboro game with his second HR of the season—went 2 for 5 with 3 runs scored
· First round pick Nick Gonzales hit his first pro HR, 2 for 4, 2 runs and 2 RBI
· Greensboro starter Tahnaj Thomas went 3 innings, 1 hit, 1 run, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts
· Bradenton starter Eddy Yean lasted only a third of an inning, 2 hits, 3 walks, 5 runs—the ERA is 135.00
· 6'7" right-hand hitting Low A outfielder Will Matthiessen had 3 hits with a RBI
· Bradenton catcher Endy Rodriguez homered and scored twice
· 2020 5th round pick, righty Logan Hofman struck out 7 in 3 innings
Up Next
Off day, then the start of a three game series in Chicago starting Friday at 2:20p. Trevor Cahill (1-3, 7.40 ERA) vs. Zach Davies (1-2, 8.22 ERA)
