Buc Notes-confident team, quality start, Jose late-add win

LISTEN to post-game from Derek Shelton and Marco Gonzales
Edward Olivares celebrates after Pirates walkoff win
Photo credit Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It had been 20 months since the Pirates had back-to-back walk-off wins in the same series. It’s how the Bucs beat Baltimore 3-2 on Sunday after beating the Orioles 5-4 in 11 innings on Saturday.

“It is beautiful,” said DH Edward Olivares who had the game-tying fielders’ choice followed by an error on the same play that ended the game on Sunday. “The results the last couple days. It's an example of the team playing together and playing good baseball.”

"It does a lot for our confidence, especially as a pitcher, knowing that our offense is going to come through swinging,” said Pirates starter Marco Gonzales. “Just being able to keep it close in games like that, I think it just gives us confidence. I think we're just playing loose right now.”

“We're having fun. No one here is under too much stress. We're all just enjoying the process right now."

“I think that comes with the veterans on the team,” said second baseman Jared Triolo. “Even the pitchers that we have in the dugout. A lot of guys have been here and done that hundreds of times. It comes from them.”

It’s not that the tight games are ideal over-and-over again. Manager Derek Shelton credited the team for not giving up and finding a way to make a play. He said you can also notice what the close games have done to him.

“Have you seen the picture of me when I got hired and what I look like now?”

Another strong start

After six shutout innings from Bailey Falter, Marco Gonzales went six innings as well Sunday, giving up five hits and both runs with no walks and four strikeouts. The ERA after a pair of starts is 2.45 for Gonzales.

“I felt that lineup really does well for my strengths as a pitcher,” Gonzales said. “When we got ahead, we did really well. I think there was a couple times where I wasn't as ahead as I'd like to be, but overall, I felt like we held them to weak contact. Shut down the momentum they had in that one inning. Just kind of shut them down for what they had."

“I was looking forward to today, not only to have my home opener for Pittsburgh and PNC Park, but just to get the series W. I think it was huge to keep the momentum going for this club. To win that way and walk it off was exciting."

Gonzales said with every good rotation, there is healthy competition and he believes the Pirates are feeding off that early on in the season. He said the mindset is you watch what they do and either match it or do better.

"They set the bar,” Gonzales said. “Watching a guy like Martin (Perez), who has done it for a number of years, a total pro, and Mitch (Keller) and Bailey and Jonesy (Jared Jones), top to bottom, a lot of competitive guys who are just going out there and taking the ball. A lot of dogs, for sure."

Off plane, gets win

After the injury to Ryan Borucki, the Bucs called for Jose Hernandez to return from Indianapolis. His 6p flight on Saturday from Indiana got delayed in Detroit. The left-hander got in late, but ended up pitching 1.1 shutout innings to get the win.

“There’s not a lot that phases this kid,” Shelton said. “We’re talking about a Rule 5 pick that was here all year last year and went through some ups and downs but the one thing I can say about him is he’s always prepared and he’s not scared.”

“It has been a lot in a short time,” Hernandez said. “As soon as I got on that plane, I knew what was in front of me. It helps to have the mindset of eventually of what will happen.”

Hernandez got his first MLB save in the first game of the season after a late call-up with Roansy Contreras leaving due to his child’s birth.

"If you're here, you're going to contribute,” Gonzales said. “I think we're going to use everybody on this team, so to be able to come in like he did and have confidence in the game is huge."

Up Next

A brief two-game series with the 6-3 Tigers with Mitch Keller starting Monday night against RHP Reese Olson at 6:40 with the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show with Dan Zangrilli starting at 5:40p on 93.7 The Fan. Then on Tuesday afternoon at 12:35p on 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA, lefty Martin Perez against righty Casey Mize.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports