PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – On a night celebrating Roberto Clemente, the Pirates found a way to beat a Reds team fighting for a playoff spot 5-4. The winning run scoring with two outs in the ninth.
After the Reds came back to tie it in the eighth, Wilmer Difo hit a pop-up double that Max Schrock overran. The Reds walked Bryan Reynolds. Colin Moran hit a ground ball that first baseman Joey Votto bobbles, he throws to first to get the second out. Difo, running hard the entire time, rounds third and scores the game-winner.
"Great base-running play by Wilmer and a hell of a send by Joey (Cora)," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. "We won a game because of it. That's the way he (Clemente) played; full out all the time. To win that game like that was really special. To win on a day that is really important to the City of Pittsburgh, the Clemente family, the Island of Puerto Rico. It was really cool."
"I'm pretty sure he's looking down at us, very proud of us," Difo said admitting he was going home regardless of Joey Cora's signal. "That's the way he liked to play."
"Growing up I would hear a lot of stories about Roberto Clemente. I love that guy. Sometimes I will get on YouTube to just watch the way he played the game. I'm very familiar with Roberto Clemente's story and the things that he did in the game and off the field. One thing that really stood out to me is the type of player that he was, very aggressive. Taking advantage of every opportunity and giving everything he has in every situation possible."
"It's a special day for all of us, especially for us Hispanic ballplayers. For me to be the one that represented and also helped the team get the victory. I'm very thankful for everything."
Moran had a pair of RBI as did Yoshi Tsutsugo, who started in right field. Bryan Reynolds drove home his 86th run of the year with a triple as the average is at .299.
Keller Teaser
So many times Mitch Keller has teased with impressive games. Wednesday, after the first inning, another glimpse as the 25-year-old right-hander. He went five innings, allowing a couple of first inning runs on four total hits, three walks and three strikeouts.
"He had a really solid start after the first inning," Shelton said. "In the first inning he was a little bit tentative and bounced back and did a really nice job."
"It's awesome," Keller said of starting on Clemente Day. "Nobody gets to pick me, but it's really cool that it fell on this day. To be able to wear 21 on the back is really cool. To win the way we won on a huge hustle play by Difo. It just caps it off to a special night."
Oneil Blast
Two on, two outs in the ninth for Double-A Altoona, shortstop prospect Oneil Cruz hit a three-run homer to tie the game. It's the 11th home run of the year for the 22-year-old left-hand hitter.
AAA Hitting streak
Outfielder Bligh Madris had a pair of hits including a double extending his hitting streak to 15 games. The 25-year-old, ninth round pick in 2017 raised his average nearly 30 points in the last couple of weeks.
Endy Blast
Before the trades and drafting of Henry Davis, Endy Rodriguez was the Pirates best catching prospect. The 21-year-old, who can also play in the infield and outfield, hit a three-run homer for Bradenton Wednesday. The switch-hitter now has 15 HR and 71 RBI in his first season with the Pirates.
Priester Struggles
Pirates 2019 first round pick Quinn Priester gave up five runs in 2.2 innings in his start in High A Greensboro. The righty walked five and gave up three hits with a pair of strikeouts. The 21-year-old had gave up only one earned run in his previous three starts.
Infielder Jared Triolo with his 77th run batted in. The Bucs second round pick in 2019 is hitting .305 and is third in the High A East League in RBI.
