Pirates pitchers were definitely ahead of the Minnesota pitchers as 7 Bucs hurlers combined on a 3-hitter, striking out 11, in a tidy 1-0 win at LECOM Park.
The game’s only run came on Adam Frazier’s 6th inning home run when he jumped on a breaking ball from Twins prospect Josh Winder. Frazier also singled to raise is Grapefruit League average to .586.
Ke’Bryan Hayes and Erik Gonzalez continue to swing the bat, although Hayes only had one hit so his average dropped to .432. Gonzalez, playing SS, was 1-for-1 and is at .400. “They continue to have consistent at-bats and hit the ball hard,” Shelton said.
But the story this afternoon in Bradenton was the pitching.
Starter Chase De Jong – a non-roster invitee - was efficient. The right-hander went 3-and-two-thirds innings, allowing one hit, two strikeouts and no walks.
The pride of Mars, David Bednar, only faced one batter – Miguel Sano – and struck him out. Of course.
Miguel Yajure pitched a 1-2-3 5th inning, Michael Feliz a scoreless 6th (although he gave up a long triple and a bullet to the shortstop for a double play to end the end the inning. Kyle Crick struck out two, along with a walk in the 7th.
Lefty Sam Howard did allow a hit in the 8th inning, then in the 9th 21-year old Roansy Conteras – acquired in the Jameson Taillon trade – struck out the side in the 9th on a mix of high-90’s fastballs then a 79 MPH breaking ball on his final pitch.
“For a kid who pitched in A-ball last year, that’s exciting. For Pirates fans to see a kid like this come in - a kid we acquired – it was cool,” Shelton said.
Of course, Contreras won’t be in Pittsburgh for a couple of years, but Shelton has to be pleased with his veterans, even if he doesn’t designate a closer, per se. “I am not a huge fan of the label,” Shelton said, “I think we’re going to see a bunch of guys pitch in leverage situations.”
Bednar wasn’t the only WPIAL alum to shine. Seton-LaSalle grad Derek Law, bidding for a Twins bullpen job, pitched a perfect inning, striking out Bryan Reynolds and Will Craig.
Shelton’s T-Shirt of the Day - Miracle League of Manasota. “This is one that’s kinda special. Last year we did an event there before Covid and I really missed going out there this year.”