PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It looked like Ke'Bryan Hayes' return night would be spoiled. Bucs trailing 3-2 with 2 outs in the 8th. Adam Frazier on first and then walks to Bryan Reynolds and Gregory Polanco brought up Jacob Stallings. It quickly got to two strikes, then Stallings lined a ball down the left field line, clearing the bases and ultimately a 5-3 Bucco win over Miami.
"Right spot, right time," Stallings said. "If it was something I could take to my other at bats, I would definitely do it. Luckily I've been able to come through for the team a few times."
"He grinds through at bats," said manager Derek Shelton. "The second pitch Floro threw him was a nasty sinker, he didn't get off it. I think the pitch of the at bat was the first 0-2 pitch that he fouled off. He continues to extend the at bat. When you extend an at bat by fouling pitches off, you give yourself an opportunity for the pitcher to make a mistake. He got a mistake and he hit it hard."
"He puts together some really good at bats," Hayes said of Stallings. "I was saying in the dugout he's been really clutch in these moments here lately. Let's see what happens, and he came through."
Bryan Reynolds drove in the other two runs, a solo homer in the fourth and a groundout scored Hayes in the sixth.
Hayes back
The first game for Hayes in front of fans at PNC Park and the 24-year-old had an infield single in his first at bat and the triple in the sixth.
"Felt great," Hayes said. "I was out for what seemed like a half a year. Just to be back out there with the guys and to be out there with the fans cheering us on. It was great. I was also great to get the win tonight."
He also showed off his trademark glove with an above average play to end the seventh and then robbed Starling Marte to led off the eighth going quickly to his right to snag a line drive.
"I wasn't worried about the at bats," Hayes said. "I was worried about the first ground ball. Once I get my first ground ball out of the way, I settle in."
"I was able to make some pretty good plays. First game back, it was pretty good."
Anderson decent
Tyler Anderson went five and a third innings allowing three runs with five hits, four strikeouts and no walks.
"I thought he did a good job. He executed pitches. I thought the change-up was better than it's been. His execution was good. He was in the zone. He was efficient. He did a nice job."
Moran HR
Colin Moran homered in his second rehab game in AAA, going 1 for 3 for the game with the 2-run homer. Phillip Evans started at third and also went 1 for 3 with a run scored.
Lou Gehrig Day in Pittsburgh
Pirates manager Derek Shelton mentioned on the celebration of Lou Gehrig Day in Pittsburgh, former Steelers player and broadcaster Tunch Ilkin's retirement as he focuses to battle ALS. The Pirates also have a team member's uncle battling ALS.
Up Next
Game 2 of the series with a special 4:05p start with LHP Trevor Rogers (6-3, 1.87 ERA) against Mitch Keller (3-5, 6.54 ERA). Keller is coming off a 4-0 win, can he put together back-to-back good starts? Pirates pregame just after 3p on Saturday on 93.7 The Fan.
