PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – ‘The dude has no heartbeat’-how Pirates manager Derek Shelton described closer Richard Rodriguez recently. Rodriguez hasn’t allowed a run in his last 19 innings.
Milwaukee’s Eric Sogard hit a homer in the 9th off Rodriguez on August 29, 2020. The righty closed out the year allowing no runs, 5 hits, 3 walks and 16 strikeouts.
It’s continued in 2021, getting the first save of the year on Opening Day and has all three Pirates saves. Rodriguez also got a win after pitching two scoreless against Milwaukee on April 18. His line this year, 8.1 innings, no runs, 1 hit, 1 walk and 8 strikeouts.
Rodriguez isn’t even the only Pirate with a 0.00 ERA, Kyle Crick hasn’t allowed a run in 7.1 innings allowing one hit. Sean Poppen and Phillip Evans also haven’t allowed a run. OK, but Evans still didn’t allow a run in that game.
Four others have ERA’s under 3.18—Michael Feliz, David Bednar, lefty Sam Howard (9 strikeouts in 7 innings) and Duane Underwood (16 strikeouts in 10.2 innings);
Since 21-year-old Rule 5 pick Luis Oviedo gave up 5 runs in 1.1 innings against San Diego last week, the Pirates bullpen has gone on another tear. As a whole in the last 35.1 innings, the Bucs relievers have given up 3 runs, allowed 17 hits and struck out 29. That’s an ERA of 0.77
If you are looking for why the Pirates are a game under .500 and have more wins than three of the last five World Series champions, plus the Yankees and Braves. Check off the box on the bullpen.
They are getting timely hitting and better starting pitching, but with only a few exceptions, a constant has been those group of relievers.
“We have confidence in everybody right now,” Adam Frazier said of the bullpen. “As long as guys are attacking the zone, we are in good shape.”
This team has played respectable, recently good fundamental baseball while featuring many young players. Through three weeks, good signs for the Pirates moving forward.
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Continued interleague play in Minnesota at 8:10 on 93.7 the Fan Friday night with JT Brubaker against former Pirate JA Happ.