PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Detroit took the second game of the doubleheader 5-2 Wednesday night spoiling the first MLB start by 22-year-old Miguel Yajure.
The righty, who came over from the Yankees in the Jameson Taillon trade, had only given up a solo homer until the fifth, then giving up three runs-one actually scored on a hit off David Bednar.
"He commanded the zone," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. "Overall he threw the ball in the zone. He worked back and forth, the slider was good, curve ball was good. I thought he threw the ball well. Impressive first start for a young kid."
Yajure said he found out he would start last night and just prepared as he normally would. He had three relief appearances with the Yankees last year giving up one run in seven innings with five walks and eight strikeouts. However it had been two years since he started a game at any level.
"I can do this," Yajure said about his outing through translator Mike Gonzalez. "I belong here. I was able to recognize in those first few innings that I belong here. This is something I can definitely do. Now it's about going back and preparing a little better."
The game-winning run scored from first on a ground ball up the middle. Akil Baddoo was able to get home as Gregory Polanco can only hit cutoff men throwing after his shoulder surgery. Detroit, and the league, knows of Polanco's limited arm range and it cost the Pirates a run.
"If you are referring to the hit-and-run ball, I think that was perfectly placed," Shelton said. "That ball went right into the gap. He was moving on the pitch. I don't think that had anything to do with it."
Shelton said he had no thoughts of making Polanco the designated hitter.
Good hitting
The Pirates got one of their runs on a homer by Phillip Evans. The other took more time. Colin Moran laid down a bunt against the shift for an easy single with two outs in the first. Erik Gonzalez would reward Moran by driving in Bryan Reynolds, who had walked as the previous batter.
MLB Debut
While it was Yajure's first Major League start, it was third baseman Rudolfo Castro's Major League debut. The 21-year-old called up to take the roster spot as Anthony Alford was designated for assignment. Castro said he surprised. He was originally told he would only be on the taxi squad. The Venezuela native went 0 for 3.
New OF
Shelton admits he hasn't seen newly acquired outfielder Ka'ai Tom play in person, but like what he's seen on video. Pirates hitting coach Rick Eckstein coached Tom in college, so there is some inside knowledge there.
"Looks like a guy who controls the zone," Shelton said. "I know he's a guy we like the upside. He's going to get an opportunity."
That opportunity won't come in the next few days. First Tom needs to get to Detroit and then he needs to pass through COVID protocols.
Next Up
Final game of the series in Detroit at 1:10p Thursday with Mitch Keller against Jose Urena. Hear it on Newsradio KDKA 100.1 FM & AM 1020 with pregame just after noon.
