Pittsburgher Happ scores/throws out runner, Cubs beat Bucs

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Darby Swanson with a two-out single to center scoring automatic runner Ian Happ in the 10^th inning gave the Cubs the lead and they take game one of the series 3-2. Cubs would add a run on a bases-loaded walk by Yohan Ramirez on Seiya Suzuki.

It’s the 13^th loss in the final at bat this year, Bucs are 4-7 in extra-inning games this year.

The Pirates challenged the ruling of safe at home on the first run in the 10^th. The throw from centerfielder Jake Mangum came in on a hop to the third base side of the plate, catcher Henry Davis dove to tag Happ and he was called safe. The Pirates challenged and after a lengthy review where it appeared that possibly Happ’s lead leg skipped over the base and Davis tagged him out, the original call was upheld.

Jared dealing again

Jones allowed only two hits, a double to Pete Crow-Armstrong that could have been caught in centerfield in the third inning and then PCA knocked a slider over the right field wall in the sixth inning. Jones allowed only one other baserunner, a leadoff walk in the second inning. Jones struck out give throwing 55 of his season-high 83 pitches for strikes over six full innings.

In July Jones has pitched 21 innings over four starts allowing seven hits, three earned runs, four walks and 28 strikeouts.

Opportunities lost

Pirates had a few opportunities in the game to score

• 1^st and 2^nd with 2 outs in the 3^rd inning, Nick Gonzales grounded one up the middle that Nico Hoerner dove to his right to stop and then threw behind Henry Davis, who had rounded 3^rd and Alex Bregman tagged him out as he tried to head home
• Run in during the 5^th, albeit on a couple of infield singles, no outs and the bases loaded Jake Mangum and Gonzales with fly balls too shallow to score Brandon Lowe from 3^rd and then Bryan Reynolds struck out looking.
• Ryan O’Hearn at 2^nd with one out in the 6^th inning, Marcell Ozuna and Lowe popped out
• Consecutive singles by Davis and Mangum and runners on 1^st and 3^rd with 1 out. A medium fly ball by Gonzales to left and South Hills native Ian Happ threw a strike home to get Davis to end the 7^th inning with no runs.

Endy working back

In his first game rehabbing at AAA Indianapolis, catcher Endy Rodriguez led off with a double and drove home a run with a groundout in his next at bat.

“Trending in a really good direction,” said Pirates manager Don Kelly of Rodriguez before the game. “Hamstring feels good. He seems to be a good spot. Off today, he will be back in there tomorrow. We will continue to assess after each outing.”

Davis started behind the plate on Friday with Shawn Ross called up. If he gets in a game, Ross will be the fifth different catcher the Pirates would use this season.

Notes

• 24-year-old SS/OF Mitch Jebb is working back from injury and back at AAA. The 2023 2^nd round pick homered in his first at bat returning to Indianapolis. He would add an RBI single later in the game.
• 10^th overall Pirates prospect LHP Hunter Barco gave up three runs on four hits and three walks in 2.2 innings in AAA including giving up a triple to last year’s Pirates starting left fielder Tommy Pham.
• 6’7” OF Tony Blanco, Junior hit his 13^th home run at High A Greensboro and now has 37 RBIs

Up Next

Great pitching matchup on Saturday at a weeknight time of 6:40p, LHP Shota Imanaga (6-8, 3.91 ERA) against NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes (9-8, 3.43 ERA). Dan Zangrilli has the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show at 5:45 and then all the action on 93.7 The Fan.