PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – What had the looks like a short start for Chase De Jong and a short winning streak for the Pirates turned into a career night for Ben Gamel. Bucs take game one against the Braves 11-1 Monday night.
"I don't think we missed our pitches tonight," Gamel said. "I think the scoreboard reflects that. If you go through the at bats all night long, it reflects that. We were finding barrels."
The outfielder claimed off waivers from Cleveland in early May drove in 6 runs, a first in the majors for the left-hander, on a pair of home runs and a double.
"You can't take a game for granted," Gamel said. "I'm grateful for every time I'm out on the field. Nothing is guaranteed in this game. It's nice we got a W tonight."
Ke'Bryan Hayes hit a 2-run homer on a 2-hit night, his first of the month. He was 1 for his last 25 at the plate before a seeing-eye single through the shift in the sixth inning.
Phillip Evans and John Nogowski had the other RBI as the Pirates tied their most runs in a game this season (Cleveland, June 18 an 11-10 win).
"That is one of the best teams in the National League," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. "We just got going and continued to have good at bats and continued to execute. That's a really good sign for us."
Don't forget the pitching
In his seventh start, De Jong labored through the first inning throwing 36 pitches, but limited the damage to one run. He said he was able to build momentum getting through that initial inning and made adjustments in the dugout right after.
"My release point really wasn't there in the first," De Jong said. "I was throwing balls out of my hand. Being able to make that adjustment and navigate through those next few innings. That was huge. After the first it didn't look good."
His team in the middle of a stretch of no days off, the right-hander able to give the team four more shutout innings allowing just a pair of hits the rest of the night. The 27-year-old had given up 9 runs in his last 9.2 innings.
It was also his first win in the National League.
"I'm pretty emotional right now," De Jong said. "Two different independent ball stints, multiple organizations. Fighting and grinding for all of this and three years between Major League wins. This is a special night. My boy was in the stands. My wife was in the stands. This was a really special night."
"Really happy for Chase," Shelton said. "This is a long way back. This is a guy who rebuilt himself, went to Independent League baseball. Really happy for him. Cool moment."
DeJong supported by the bullpen of Clay Holmes, Sam Howard, Kyle Crick and Kyle Keller pitched four scoreless with Keller striking out the side in the ninth.
"Boys had my back tonight," De Jong said. "Especially at the plate. Holy cow, that was awesome."
The Big Nogowski
Gamel wasn't the only player one another team's roster Opening Day that starred against the Braves. John Nogowski, acquired by the Pirates for cash on Saturday following his release by the Cardinals, scored three runs and had a pair of hits and a RBI in his first game as a Pirate.
Negowski had enough time to have his family up from Florida for the game tonight.
"They're right there in the thick of things with me," Negowski said. "Getting called up, getting sent down, getting DFA-ed and traded. Sometimes it's rougher on them than it is on me. To have them here is so incredible. I want them to be a part of what this is because this is the reason that I do it."
"Really nice debut," Shelton said. "Credit to this kid. He hasn't played in a week and the only thing he's done is to take ground balls and hit in a cage in Tallahassee. For him to come out and have that debut is kind of nice."
Brault back to FLA
Starting pitcher Steven Brault rejoined the Pirates on July 1, never pitched and sent back to Bradenton to begin pitching in games. He hopes to begin later this week, however that may be delayed a few days depending on the impact of Tropical Storm Elsa in Florida.
Up Next
Game 2 against the Braves with RHP Ian Anderson (5-4, 3.35 ERA) against RHP Chad Kuhl (2-5, 5.16 ERA) at 7:05p on 93.7 The Fan with the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show just after 6p.
