PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was a pitching group with four rookies and a first-time closer that shutout the Dodgers 3-0 Wednesday night for the Pirates 17th shutout of the season, that continues to lead Major League Baseball.
It was a challenge early on, starter Braxton Ashcraft loaded the bases with no outs in the second, but got a pair of strikeouts and a flyout. In the third inning, bases were loaded again with two outs, but he got a weak groundout.
“I mean that's our job is to go out and put up zeros in any way that we can, despite the situations we put ourselves in,” Ashcraft said. “You know, you have your back against the wall a lot in this game, it’s a game of failure. And understanding how to pull yourself out of that failure and help contribute to the team’s success, that's a big piece of being successful in the big leagues.”
Mike Burrows then came in and threw three scoreless, but only walked one and gave up two hits.
“I think we know how good that lineup is,” Burrows said. “I was just being conscious of that, trying to be in the zone and just not give them free ones. Just doing our due diligence. Every pitcher that came in today did well.”
“They haven't been in those situations, feeling that pressure, so to speak, against the World Series champs,” said Pirates manager Don Kelly. “And to be able to come through and find a way when you don't have your nasty stuff and the command, finding a way to get through that outing, because you're not always going to have it. And learning what you can go to in those moments is really big.”
“That’s a really good lineup, obviously,” said Bryan Reynolds. “It’s no secret. We threw a bunch of rookies out there, worked through some jams and put up a zero. Impressive.”
“In the last couple days, when you look at Carmen (Mlodzinski) starting yesterday, getting through that second inning, lot of pitches,” Kelly said of the young pitchers battling through adversity. “Found a way to minimize the damage. (Bubba) Chandler coming in, giving up the first runs he's given up, but continuing to attack, continuing to make adjustments, the mindset there. And then with Ashcraft and Burrows today.”
“Yeah, everyone’s, they’re coming up and doing their job,” said Andrew McCutchen. “It doesn’t seem like they’re trying to put more pressure on themselves getting here. They’re just doing what got them here and it’s great that these guys are getting the opportunity now and we’re able to see these young arms just on the field and watching them work at their craft.”
“We've got a lot of guys that are starting pitchers that showing that mindset to come out of the 'pen,” Kelly said, “Like Burrows did tonight, like Bubba did last night, just willing to take the ball and go out and pitch and dominate the innings that they're called to go execute and throw. It's been infectious in the way that they've all gone about it and bought in and thrown the ball extremely well.”
Milestones
· Andrew McCutchen’s 408-foot HR off the rotunda tied him with Bobby Bonds and Moises Alou with 332 career homers and now 3 shy of Darryl Strawberry and Robinson Cano on the all-time list
· Bryan Reynolds 405-foot home run gives him 138 for career, tied with Bill Mazeroski for 10th Pirates all-time list and one from Jason Bay for 9th
· Cam Devanney got his first MLB hit in his third game, a single in the second inning ‘just incredible, really awesome’ Devanney said
Jared Jones throwing again
It’s a light throwing program, but none the less Jared Jones has been cleared by doctors to start tossing after his elbow injury that has shelved him all year.
“Very encouraged with his progress, very encouraged with the overall range of motion and strength,” said Pirates Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk. “He’s on track for our original projection of returning to game activity around 10 to 12 months.”
Until this point, Jones had just been able to do one-hand and two-hand plyometrics. The 24-year-old went 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA in 22 starts showing off a blazing fastball and intensity that made him a quick fan favorite with the Pirates last year. The right-hander will start by throwing to 45-60 feet. He’ll have multiple sets of 25 throws with rest in-between.
How the program continues is based on how he reacts/feels and the plan is to build gradually over ‘a significant amount of time’. The hope is to have Jones ready to compete for a spot on the pitching staff in 2026.
Great pitching getaway
The final game of the series is a Skenes night at PNC Park with Paul Skenes (9-9, 2.05 ERA) facing veteran lefty Blake Snell (3-3, 2.41 ERA). North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show at 5:45p and first pitch at 6:40 on 93.7 The Fan.