PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pirates are counting on Roansy Contreras to make a number of solid starts over his career. He’s shown the ability to do so. Monday was not that start, an 8-2 loss to Houston.
The 23-year-old right-hander gave up seven runs on nine hits, four walks and a hit batter to the defending World Series champs.
“The biggest thing today was I did not have the fastball command like I wanted to,” Contreras said. “That was the result of it.”
"It didn't look like he was in his delivery very well,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. “I mean he was battling it the whole game and because of it he scattered the ball and if you scatter the ball against this team and then you come back to the middle of the plate, there is going to be damage."
It’s the second-worst start of his career, on July 1, 2022 he gave up seven earned runs with a pair of walks over an inning and two-thirds.
Every Astro in the starting lineup got on base and eight of them had hits. Yordan Alvarez had three hits, Kyle Tucker had three RBI. Ji Man Choi hit his first home run as a Pirate into the bullpen in left center in the second inning.
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Castro at short
With Oneil Cruz likely out four months, Shelton said he likely will use Rodolfo Castro most of the time at shortstop. The 23-year-old went 1-for-1 with a walk, RBI and error on Monday.
“Physically and mentally I’m ready for any position they need me to play,” Castro said. “Anything the team needs him for. I’ve been working on different positions since Spring Training and that helps me get ready for any position.”
Castro is friends with Cruz and said his heart dropped when he was injured. He said they just need to fight on without him.
“We talked yesterday and today after the surgery,” Castro said. “He’s in good spirits. We feel like he will get better and be here soon.”
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RHP Cristian Javier (1-0, 3.27 ERA) starts for the Astros against Mitch Keller (1-0, 3.86 ERA) with first pitch at 6:35 as the North Shore Tavern lead-off show begins at 5:30p