The first period gave both teams multiple powerplay opportunities with both teams playing extremely undisciplined. Neither team could take advantage of the man advantage or in Pittsburgh’s case the two-man advantage about halfway through the period. Pittsburgh’s Alex Nedeljkovic made his first start as a Penguin and shined in this opportunity.

The second period saw a lot of the same back-and-forth hockey however, Calgary broke the ice with a goal from Matt Coronato on the powerplay. Through two periods the Flames Jacob Markstrom stood on his head and fended off any would-be goals from the Penguins.

All of that went by the wayside though, when the Pens took over in the third and final period. Pittsburgh’s Bryan Rust got the Pens on the board with his second goal of the young season just 18 seconds into the third. That’s when Evgeni Malkin showed what an absolute unit he can be. Geno who had a big night against the Capitals came into this game on fire. He had a handful of great opportunities early in this game that all got answered by Markstrom and the Flames. However, in the third, he was a different animal. He would have the primary assist on the Penguins second goal from newcomer Reilly Smith and the Pens never let up. Jake Guentzel scored his first of the season and hopefully got a monkey off his back. Malkin then added a goal from himself setup by you guessed it, Reilly Smith who seems to be really gelling with Malkin through three games. Jonathan Huberdeau got Calgary within two as he scored his first of the season but it was too little too late. Bryan Rust added his second of the game on an empty netter and sent the Pittsburgh hopeful home happy.

The three stars of the night tonight are a little tougher than they were against Washington but these guys showed up big in this game.

Third Star – Reilly Smith. Smith had both a goal and an assist scoring in back-to-back games for Pittsburgh.  The offseason acquisition appears to have chemistry with his center already and is playing at an incredibly high level with Malkin thus far.

Second Star – Bryan Rust. Bryan Rust is looking to rebound after struggling last season. He’s off to a good start so far with goals in two of the three games and three goals in the short season.

First Star – Evgeni Malkin. On back-to-back nights, Geno was the game’s top star. Malkin had a goal and an assist on the night but was dominant overall and made the Flames lives tough.

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In the Co-Main event, KSI’s former foe turn friend, Logan Paul took on the jiu-jitsu artist Dillon Danis. This was anything but a fight. Danis made promises of taking Paul’s head off and easily winning this match. But, when push came to shove Danis folded under the pressure. He landed all of nine punches after just four of the scheduled six rounds. He looked more interested in trying to have his guard up the entire match and walk away unscathed so he could boast to his internet troll army that Paul couldn’t knock him out. Logan did his best jabbing through Danis’ guard early and often and landing body shot after body shot. Danis had a point deducted earlier in the match for attempting a wrestling takedown on Paul. Dillon cared more about talking trash and acting tough than actually boxing multiple times and being warned by the ref multiple times to stop. With just a few seconds left in the sixth round, all hell broke loose. Danis attempted a guillotine choke on Paul who broke free and attempted to land a hammer fist. Security from both teams rushed the ring to try and stop the melee. However, little could be done and Danis finally decided to throw punches just at the wrong people. Paul was set to win this match regardless of the referee’s decision but Danis found himself disqualified for his antics. 

The matches leading up to the two main events were more entertaining than the main events were. Prior to the Paul vs Danis match Slim Albaher defeated Salt Papi in the fourth round via TKO. Salt Papi pressured Slim most of the early rounds and probably won the first two if not three before getting a little too cocky and getting knocked down in the fourth round after the knockdown Papi was never the same and made the ref call it after Slim smelled the blood in the water and ended it. 

Deen The Great took on Walid Sharks in a brutal back-and-forth slobber-knocking fight. Sharks landed a big punch early in the first which seemed to stun and hurt Deen who fought back and not only made it through the first but won the first round, and every round after that. Deen rocked the Sharks multiple times and Deen was finally awarded a knockdown late in the match. Deen won in a unanimous decision rightfully so.

Anthony Taylor defeated King Kenny in a unanimous decision. Kenny never really stood a chance in this one. Taylor was too quick and powerful for the bigger Kenny. Taylor fought in textbook form cutting down the reach of his bigger opponent and getting inside to hinder any sort of power Kenny had. 

My Mate Nate won in a unanimous decision against Whindersson Nunes in the second match of the night. Nate came out of the gate fast and threw punch after punch. Possibly catching Nunes off guard and he never recovered. 

Alex Wasabi and NichLmao drew with Luis ALcaraz Pineda and BDave in the opening bout of the night. You read that right a tag team boxing match to start the night off. Any true boxing fan would probably turn their nose up at such a thing. But, for the new fans of those fans of the promotion, this was exciting. Early in the match, it seemed like Wasabi and NichLmao were going to run away with it. Pineda got knocked down early but BDave ended up getting tagged in a scoring a knockdown of his own. After that, there was a lot of back and forth and punches exchanged only for this match to go to the judge’s scorecards.

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The first period was typical for this Metropolitan Division rivalry. Back and forth, fast-paced, and entertaining. Both starting goalies Tristan Jarry for Pittsburgh, and Charlie Lindgren were on top of their games in the first. The Pens killed off a Capitals powerplay that saw Ovechkin in his customary spot on the right faceoff dot waiting for his patented one-timer that he didn’t have a chance to pull the trigger on. Meanwhile, Lindgren stopped a couple of high-quality chances from Pittsburgh one of which came from assistant captain Evgeni Malkin in the slot. 

The second period was anything but low-scoring. Pittsburgh scored two goals in the first six minutes of the second. The first was from the big Russian Evgeni Malkin, and the second was on the powerplay from Pittsburgh’s longtime Captain, Sidney Crosby. Newly acquired defenseman and former Norris trophy winner Erik Karlsson got his first point as a Pen with the secondary assist on the Malkin goal. Karlsson can breathe easy getting that first one off his chest early in the year and Pittsburgh fans hope it opens the gates. Crosby added to Pittsburgh’s lead with his second of the game, and third goal for the Penguins in the second period on yet another powerplay. Late in the second Pittsburgh gave up an excellent opportunity as Washington Captain Alex Ovechkin had a breakaway that the Pen’s Tristan Jarry stopped easily.

After two periods of play, it looked like total domination from the Penguins in Washington. Pittsburgh did, however, have a penalty to kill off that rolled over into the third period. Washington couldn’t capitalize on it, however. Pittsburgh drew a penalty with about 38 seconds left on the penalty kill to even it up and put the Pens on the powerplay. Luckily for the Capitals, it didn’t come back to bite them as they managed to kill it off even after some great opportunities from Pittsburgh, notably from Reilly Smith who was stuffed after a great bounce. 

After Washington killed off the penalty Charlie Lindgren made quality save, after quality save. Stopping a one-timer from Smith again, and blocking a couple of shots from Malkin that were headed for the back of the net. The biggest issue for Washington halfway through the third period was their inability to break out of the defensive zone effectively, and keeping possession of the puck in the offensive zone when they got that far. The only notable chances Washington had came on another Captial powerplay that the Pen’s penalty kill shut down for a third time. 

After a great backcheck from Malkin, he sprung Reilly Smith on a partial breakaway who made up for the previous shots he was robbed on buried his first of the year, and scored his first goal as a Penguin. In true Pens and Caps fashion, the game ended with some fisticuffs. After the whistle was blown for the Penguin’s Noel Accari who took a puck to the ear, the Capitals resident tough guy cross-checked the Penguin’s Marcus Pettersson who didn’t take any crap and dropped the gloves with Wilson. While it surely wasn’t a rock-em-sock-em fight like you’d see in any 90’s or early 2000s old hockey highlight it was classified as a fight nonetheless. 

The Pens bounced back in a big way from their home and season opener against Chicago and spoiled Washington’s in the process. With a 4-0 shutout Pittsburgh improves to 1-1-0 on the young season. Washington never truly threatened Pittsburgh outside of a good shot or two on the first powerplay. Jarry fought off all 19 shots he faced and Pittsburgh capitalized on the undisciplined play from the Caps. As is customary in any hockey game you award the “three stars of the game” after each game, and here are my three stars. 

Third Star – Goalie Tristan Jarry. Jarry as previously mentioned stopped all 19 shots he faced, including a breakaway from Alex Ovechkin in a key moment of the game. 

Second Star – Sidney Crosby. Crosby scored the second and third goal of the game. Both came on the powerplay. He was also extremely efficient in the faceoff dot going 15-21 and winning over 70% of the draws he took.

First Star – Evgeni Malkin. Geno scored the first goal and assisted on three additional goals. Malkin’s goal ended up being not only the first goal but the game-winner. He made his presence known in this game early with some great opportunities as well.

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The young shortstop was caught mocking Harper and saying “atta boy Harper” while celebrating the win with his team. Going into game three that’s all the former MVP needed to rally the troops.

 Philadelphia sent right-handed hurler Aaron Nola to the mound to oppose Braves righty Bryce Elder. Elder, who had a phenomenal season racking up twelve wins and a sub-four ERA was in for a rude awakening in Philadelphia.

After Ozzie Albies got Atlanta on the board in the third with a single allowing MVP front-runner Ronald Acuna Jr to score the Phils got to work.

Nick Castellanos led the bottom of the third off with a solo home run then, the floodgates opened. Brandon Marsh reached on a single before advancing to second on a ground out from Kyle Scwarber, and later advanced to third on an infield single by Phillies shortstop Trea Turner, that’s when the former MVP stepped up and left his mark on the game. 

Harper, on a 2-1 pitch sent a ball high into the Pennsylvania night sky and put Philadelphia up 4-1 and those are all the runs the Phillies would need. Bryce definitely took notes before the game and stared down Arcia while rounding second.

That effectively ended Elder’s night giving him a final line of 2.2 innings, five hits, six earned runs, a walk, and four strikeouts. Not the kind of outing you were hoping for if you’re Braves manager Brian Snitker.

 Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto added two more runs after he doubled in the third off of relief pitcher Michael Tomkin took over. The Phillies never looked back or let their foot off the gas after that.

Philadelphia’s starter Aaron Nola was on his A-game going 5.2 strong innings, giving up six hits, two earned runs, a walk, and striking out a whopping nine batters. Between the big third inning from the Phillies offense and the start that Nola provided for them, they were in prime position to take a 2-1 series lead. But, Bryce wasn’t done yet. Coming up again in the fifth inning Harper put the nail in the coffin with another moon-shot that he sent out to dead center on a 1-1 pitch. Harper, again remembering those pregame notes once again stared down Arica while rounding the bases. 

Bryce’s second home run of the night put Philadelphia up 7-1. Philly would add three more runs before the end of the game when Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos, and Brandon Marsh all hit solo home runs. Atlanta added their second and final run on an Orlando Arcia single in the sixth. 

 Philadelphia now looks to close out the series in game four where Braves Ace Spencer Strider heads to the mound against against the Phillies Ranger Suarez.

Citizens Bank Park will be absolutely rocking again hoping Bryce and the gang can wrap this series up in Philadelphia and that Atlanta doesn’t force a game five.

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The Steelers rank near the bottom of every major offensive category in the league. Pittsburgh ranks 29th in points per game, 27th in passing yards per game, and 27th in points per game. Needless to say, the high-powered, fast-scoring offense Pittsburgh fans saw in the preseason was nothing more than a mirage. But all of that was in the rear-view mirror as the AFC North foes met in Pittsburgh this afternoon. 

The first half of the game looked like Lamar Jackson and the Ravens were going to run away with this one. Out-scoring the Steelers 10-3 and moving the ball all over the field. The Steelers defense was in their usual bend but don’t break form and that’s exactly what they did. For a second week in a row, the Ravens came out flat in the second half of the game and that was the demise of the Ravens. 

In what ended up being an ugly win for Pittsburgh, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin dialed up a winning formula. The Steelers defense was stout forcing a fumble right before half-time, then pinning Baltimore deep before Pittsburgh’s special team captain Miles Killebrew blocked a Jordan Stout punt for a safety. After that, all the momentum was on Pittsburgh’s side of the ball, or so it seemed. After a few three and out’s by both teams the Ravens punted the ball back to Pittsburgh and all hell let loose when Pittsburgh’s return man Gunner Olszewski fumbled setting the Ravens up in a first-and-goal situation.

Even with their backs against the wall TJ Watt and the Steelers defense were ready for the challenge. After a short run by Baltimore running back Gus Edwards and a quick shovel pass to Mark Andrews, Lamar Jackson made his biggest mistake of the game. That mistake? Testing Pittsburgh’s rookie corner-back Joey Porter Jr on a fade route. Porter not only got in position to defend the pass but ended up intercepting it and setting Pittsburgh up for a game-winning drive.

Kenny Pickett finally started playing a little more freely at this point with the help of second-year wide receiver George Pickens. Pickens who has become an early favorite for Pickett made a miraculous toe-tapping catch along the sideline to extend the drive before both Pickett and Pickens read the cover zero Baltimore was in and hit the home run. Pickett connected with Pickens on a 41-yard go-ahead touchdown to seal the game for Pittsburgh. 

That’s all this year’s rendition of the Steel Curtain needed to ice the game. Once Baltimore got the ball back edge rusher Alex Highsmith made sure to put his stamp on the game with yet another strip sack on Lamar Jackson. Pittsburgh added a field goal on that possession leaving just enough time for Baltimore to try and orchestrate a game-winning drive of their own. TJ Watt had other plans though as he sacked Lamar Jackson on fourth down and squashed any hopes the Ravens had to win this game.

While the offense was, well exactly what it’s been all year to this point they did enough to keep Matt Canada around for another season, and most of all win a big divisional game. While the stats weren’t eye-popping by any means running back Jaylen Warren’s game and effort can’t go unnoticed. He kept a couple of drives alive by making guys miss in space and hurdling would-be tacklers. He’s slowly infringing on the playing time of Najee Harris and is looking like he could be a real matchup issue for teams coming up. 

With the 17-10 win Pittsburgh heads into their bye week 3-2 and in first place in the AFC North. Meanwhile, Baltimore falls to 3-2 as well but sit in second place, and head to London to take on the Tennessee Titans. 

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Oakland quickly jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first after leadoff man Esteury Ruiz reached on a catcher’s interference call, and stole second base on the very next pitch. Ryan Noda then singled to center to open up the scoring. The A’s added two more runs in the third while the Bucco’s offense sputtered.

Johan Oviedo struggled in this game putting multiple runners on and in scoring position early and often, and to top it off the Bucco’s bats couldn’t find the ball against a struggling pitcher. The Pirates went hitless through the first four innings of the game. They managed to leave four runners on three of which were in scoring position even while going hitless. 

A’s starter JP Sears threw a whopping 88 pitches through four no-hit innings. Maybe the Pittsburgh Pierogi race would rejuvenate this dreadful Pirates offense. Second baseman Mark Mathias led off the fifth with the Buc’s first hit of the game. Just like that the no-hitter was gone and the Bucs were aggressive at the dish. Conner Joe got the Bucs on the board with a 2-out double which chased starter Sears. Lucas Erceg came in and shut the door after walking Carlos Santana to load the bases.

Ke’Bryan Hayes kept his hot bat going collecting the Pirate’s third hit of the game. The Pirates then took back-to-back walks after Ji Hwan Bae struck out to load the bases for Pittsburgh’s “Golden Boy” Andrew McCutchen. After a few pitches high and tight one of which appeared to shake McCutchen up, Fujinami battled back before eventually walking ‘Cutch and bringing home the second run. Bryan Reynolds came up and brought in the game-tying run with the second bases-loaded walk of the inning. Jack Suwinski pinch hit for Conner Joe and hit a sacrifice fly to right to score the go-ahead run however, Andrew McCutchen got thrown out at third trying to tag up after the run scored. 

A’s manager Mark Kotsay got thrown out of the game after Oviedo struck out Ryan Noda to end the seventh after arguing balls and strikes a handful of times throughout the game. Pirates youngster Johan Oviedo settled down after his rocky start finishing with a stat line of 7.0 innings pitched, 4 hits, 3 runs but only 2 earned, and 5 strikeouts. 

The A’s weren’t ready to lay down though in the top of the 8th. Brent Rooker lead the inning off with a walk before pinch hitter Aledmys Diaz doubled him home, and the A’s loaded the bases with one out. Angel Perdomo worked out of the jam he inherited to strand the bases loaded and bring the Buc’s up in the 8th. Andrew McCutchen put the Bucs back ahead after a sac fly to right to bring in the speedy Ji Hwan Bae. 

Top of the ninth, with the Bucco’s up one run skipper Derek Shelton went to his setup man Colin Holdernan to give his lights-out closer David Bednar a day off after pitching three straight days over the weekend and recording three straight saves. A’s speedster Ruiz led off the 9th with a single to center before eventually getting thrown out attempting to steal second which came back to bite the Athletics as Noda doubled, and Brent Rooker singled to put runners on the corners. Aledmys Diaz then hit a shallow pop to center fielder Bae to get the second out before Holderman struck out Carlos Perez to end the game. 

The Buccos took game one of this three-game series by a final of 5-4, Angel Perdomo was your winning pitcher, Sam Moll took the loss, and Colin Holderman picked up his first save of the season. Mitch Keller takes the mound for the Buc’s Tuesday’s middle game of the series in hopes to keep up his incredible stretch of starts and keep the A’s at bay for another day. 

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Mitch Keller took the hill on a warm day in Pittsburgh in hopes to get the Bucs back on track. He surrendered a two out hit to Pirates killer Kris Bryant which was his 1000th career hit in the top of the first. After striking out Ryan McMahon to end the inning the Bucs came up to bat trying to get their ice cold bats going. Ke’Bryan Hayes led the bottom of the first off with a sharp single to center and went nowhere after that. Bryan Reynolds made a loud out with a deep line drive to center, A strike em out throw em out double play ended in the inning with Andrew McCutchen at-bat.

In the second inning Keller did it all first by striking out two and then taking care of a soft dribbler back to the mound. The Bucs ace was dealing early in this game. During the bottom of the second inning it was more of the same for the Pirates with two two loud outs from Carlos Santana and Connor Joe. Even though the offense has been struggling it seemed their confidence was not lacking and eventually turn it around.  

As for Keller he kept on  dealing. After a fly out to left and another strike out, he found himself in danger after a Charlie Blackmon double yet  Jurickson Profar hit a weak line drive up the middle that shortstop Chris Owings handled with ease.

The Pirates set the stage in the bottom of the third with Jack Suwinski drawing a walk after a nice battle at the plate and Owings singling to left. That brought up backstop Austin Hedges who attempted to lay a sacrifice bunt down which resulted in a force out of Suwinski third. That brought up Hayes again who grounded into a double play. 

After retiring Bryant on a comebacker, Keller got a lineout to center by McMahon, and a line out of former Buccos backstop Elias Diaz. Still the Bucks kept hitting the ball hard that  shortstop Ezequiel Tovar made plays on and the inning ended via strikeout on an automatic strike call on Santana for not beign ready in the box.  

Rockies first basemen Mike Moustakas led the fifth off with a line drive up the middle for a single yet was quickly eliminated when Tovar grounded into a 4-6-3 twin killing which eliminated any potential threat. Santana redeemed himself by robbing Harold Castro of at least a single on a hard hit ball that he laid out for. The Pirates started the bottom half of the inning with Joe grounding out to third before second baseman Rodolfo Castro walked and Suwinski singled bringing up Owings who prior to the start of that inning recorded one of the Bucs’ only two hits. The count went full yet he struck out and the inning ended on a caught stealing.  

Brenton Doyle did not waste time to start the top of the sixth as he swung at the first pitch and flew out to Joe in right. Blackmon followed it up with a flyout to left, which left Keller with two outs on three pitches. He proceeded to then walk Profar which brought up Bryant for his third at-bat of the evening and he sent a sharp line drive to right to put runners on first and second and McMahon coming up to hit with the best opportunity for the Rockies. 

Keller had gotten himself  in trouble yet was able to get himself out inducing McMahon to ground out to Santana.

Hedges opened the bottom half of the sixth lacing a double to the wall in deep center to start off the bottom of the sixth and bringing the top of the lineup up. Hayes singled on a ball that shortstop Tovar laid out for yet lost it on the transition to throw the baseball. The trouble was quickly erased as Reynolds hit into a double play. McCutchen drew a four pitch walk bringing up Santana again who hit into a fielder’s choice to end another prime opportuntity to put runs on the board. 

For the top of the seventh Keller kept dealing with Diaz grounding out, Moustakas and Tozar struck out.

Joe singled to right to start of the bottom half of the seventh inning and the Bucs were able to put runs on the board as Castro hit his fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot which ended the scoreless game.

Colorado’s starter Kyle Freeland who was still in the game bounced right back with a strike out of Suwinski and a groundout from Owings. Doyle then robbed Hedges of what was likely his second double of the night with a diving catch to end the inning. 

Continuning his brilliant performance, Keller made quick work of the first two hitters of the top of the eighth. Getting a ground out from Castro and a deep fly out of Doyle. Blackmon got caught look to end the inning. Daniel Bard relieved Freeland in the eighth.

Freeland’s final line  was seven innings pitched, two runs both earned, seven hits and four strikeouts. As for Bard he walked Hayes. Reynolds got the Bucs fans excited with a flyout to the deepest part of the park. McCutchen was up next put up a nice battle before finally striking out.

Hayes then got aught stealing for a second time in the game and resulted in the ending of the bottom half of the inning.

The stage was set for the young Buccos ace, Keller as he returned to the mound in the ninth looking for a complete game shutout. He started off strong by striking out Profar on three pitches. Bryant came up already with two hits yet this time flew out to right field. With one out remaining the Bucs’ home crowd came to life. McMahon was the last man between the Pirates and a win, and he ended up hitting a weak grounder up the middle to Castro who took care of it easily.

With Keller’s dominant performance he picked up the first complete game for the Pirates in 2023 and it was also the first of his career. He ended up giving up only four hits and striking out eight and his performance is definitely worthy of more than a gameball.

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Lately the Pirates have been red hot and look like a team to watch out for later in the season. This series had a ton of highs and maybe just one low. The Buccos faithful got to see their team sign its first $100 million dollar player in franchise history, and a 33-year-old journeyman make his MLB debut. 

Coming into this series the Pirates were on a league-leading seven-game winning streak and had announced the eighth-year contract extension given to outfielder Bryan Reynolds. The Pirates jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the fourth inning and Buccos faithful thought a win was in the bag. Yet after a few shaky innings by Pittsburgh relievers and a blown save opportunity, trailed 8-7 going into the ninth. Former Pirate Shelby Miller came in and slammed the door getting Connor Joe looking to end the game. 

Fast forward to the middle game of this series and Buccos’ starter Roansy Contreras had his best stuff working. He held the Dodgers hitless through five innings and exited the game after the sixth and only surrendered two hits.

Contreras though was outshined by the story of the night which ended up being 33-year-old Drew Maggi who spent 13 seasons in the minor leagues and played over 1,100 career games before getting his opportunity to make his MLB debut. Well, Wednesday night he finally got to say he was a big leaguer and pinch hit for Andrew McCutchen in the bottom of the eighth. With the crowd behind him, and what seemed like the entire city of Pittsburgh simultaneously he fought back his emotions and stepped into the batter’s box at PNC Park.

While Maggi’s first at-bat ended in his first career strikeout the ovation, the crowd chanting his name, and the overall atmosphere will always be a day he remembers.

In the rubber match of this series, the Pirates drew a tough matchup against Julio Urias who had the lowest ERA in the NL last season. The Dodgers pulled an equally tough task going against Buc’s ace Mitch Keller who to this point had strung together four straight quality starts. The Buccos seemed unphased going up against the normally dominant Urias as they tagged him for three runs in the first and another three in the sixth.

Joe and Rodolfo Castro went back to back against Urias which chased him from the game after 5.2 innings and six earned runs. That was enough for the Pirates bullpen to shut it down. David Bednar got brought in even though it was a non-save situation to get some work in after not pitching since April 23rd which was an appearance against the Cincinnati Reds. 

Looking ahead the Pirates head to the nation’s capital to take on the Washington Nationals and then to Tampa to take on the Rays before heading home for a series starting on Cinco De Mayo against the Toronto Blue Jays.

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Reynolds was greeted with a warm welcome from the crowd as soon as his walkup music started.

Youngster Roansy Contreras was on the bump for this middle game opposing Dodgers righty Tony Gonsolin who made his 2023 debut.

The first two innings went by quickly with both team going hitless and only drawing one walk each, and stranding that runner at first. Dodgers second baseman Miguel Vargas kept the Buccos hitless after Connor Joe hit a rocket towards second that had two bases written all over it. In the top of the third Joe returned the favor with a sliding catch to rob Dodgers designated hitter David Peralta of a hit.

Pirates catcher Jason Delay broke up Gonsolin’s no hit bid and recorded the first hit for either team in the third with a single to center and setting the table for the top of the Buccos’ lineup. Leadoff man Ke’Bryan Hayes followed up with a walk only to be erased on a ball hit by Reynolds which ended up being a 4-6-3 double play.

With Contreras dealing for Pittsburgh the offense was looking to get some run support and that started during the fourth doing just that. Carlos Santana singled to center and advanced to second on a walk from Jack Suwinski which ended up chasing Gonsolin with Joe coming to bat.

Phil Bickford came in and worked quickly striking out Joe for the second out. Santana and Suwinski stole third and second respectively before the inning ended with a weak pop-up by the Pirates shortstop Rodolfo Castro.

Roansy got himself into a bit of jam in the top of the fifth walking  Vargas who later stole second yet worked out of it by keeping the Dodgers at bay. Buccos speedy outfield Ji Hwan Bae then led the bottom of the fifth off with a single to center and stole second base to temporarily give the Pirates the most steals in all of baseball. Delay then executed a sacrifice bunt perfectly and got Bae to third. Hayes followed up by walking which brought up the Buc’s big money man, Reynolds who laced a ball into leftfield to drive in the Pirates first run of the evening and advancing Hayes to third. Former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen then came up to the plate with runners on the corners a blooped a single into right field driving home another run for Pittsburgh, which forced Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to pull Bickford. Justin Bruhl came in and quickly escaped trouble by getting Carlos Santana to ground in to a fielders choice and then getting Suwinksi to fly out to left field to end the inning.

Dodgers backstop Austin Wynns ended Contreras’ no hit bid in the top of the sixth with a bloop single to right center which was followed by a Mookie Betts strike out and single from first baseman Freddie Freeman. This set the stage for the biggest at bat of the night for the Dodgers with runners on first and second and center fielder Jason Heyward up to bat. Roansy quickly fell behind 3-0. Yet was bound and determined to work himself out of the jam he got himself in and fought his way back to a full count.

A deep fly foul ball gave the Dodgers fans a little hope before Heyward ultimately hit a sacrifice fly to right field advancing Wynns to third. With runners on the corners and two outs rookie slugger James Outman stepped to the plate and put a charge in one right to center fielder Suwinski to end the inning and get the Bucs out of trouble.

The Pirates got the sticks back to work in the bottom of the sixth, after a Joe strikeout, Castro doubled, and Bae singled to put runners on the corners with Delay coming to bat.

Delay hit a comebacker to the pitcher that bounced off of Bruhl’s glove and scooted away for an infield single. The inning ended with a double play induced by new Dodgers pitcher Yency Almonte.

The Pirates had the Dodgers in the same spot for the second night in-a-row going into the seventh. Contreras turned the game over to his bullpen after six scoreless innings and Robert Stephenson came in and didn’t blink an eye.

Vargas hit a weak comebacker to Stephenson to start the inning, followed by a strike out by Michael Busch and last night’s hero Chris Taylor up to bat, who lined a single to left field setting the table for Peralta who popped out to Reynolds to end the inning.

The Pirates continued to add on in the bottom of the seventh inning after Reynolds reached base on a hit by pitch, a Santana walk, and single by Suwinski loaded the bases for fan favorite who grounded into a fielder’s choice as Reynolds got thrown at out home for the second out. Castro lined a ball into left plating two for Pittsburgh and blowing this game wide open. Bae drove in the Pirates sixth run with a ground ball to third and a hustle play by Tucupita Marcano to score from second on an infield hit after Dodgers catcher Austin Wynns was called for blocking the plate.

After two more stolen bases by Castro and Bae, Buccos backstop JDelay laced a double down the left field line emptying the bases.

After the Pirates put a crooked number up in the bottom of the seventh scoring five, the Buccos were able to give setup man Colin Holderman the night off. Dauri Moreta came in for the eighth and put away leadoff batter Wynns on a ground ball to the shortstop Castro. Mookie Betts then came to the plate and rolled a ball over to Hayes who made it look easy ranging to his left fielding and throwing out the former MVP. Freeman got the goose egg off the board with a solo home run to deep right center and putting the Dodgers on the board.

Moreta got back into his groove and struck out Heyward easily sending the Buccos to the bottom of the eighth with a big lead.

The eighth inning ended up being a special inning not for Reynolds who led the inning off with a high pop to right field. No history was witnessed with Drew Maggi making his MLB debut after 13 seasons in the minors and 1,155 minor league games. When the career minor leaguer got announced he came out to a standing ovation, and a roar from the crowd who chanted “Maggi, Maggi, Maggi” for his entire at bat.

Maggi came out hacking looking for that first big league hit yet hitting a ball foul, then instantly being called for a delay for not being ready in the box. Unfortunately for him he is still searching for that illusive first career hit after striking out on a pitch in the dirt.

Moreta came back out of the dugout in the ninth in hopes to shut down the Dodgers and send the Buccos faithful home happy. With a quick strike out of  Outman he was in firm control. An extended at bat from Vargas ended in yet another punch out, and with the rookie Busch up to bat as the Dodgers last hope and like his teammates before him he struck out, this time to end the game.

Like that the Buccos are back in the win column and remain a game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. In the rubber match of this series Buc’s ace Mitch Keller toes the rubber against southpaw Julio Urias who looks to cool down the Pirates hot bats.

The post 4/26 Buccos Roundup appeared first on INSCMagazine.

The Buccos kicked off the first of a three- game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers today after extending star outfielder Bryan Reynolds to a club record 8-year $106.75M contract.

The Dodgers came into this game trying end the Pirates league-high seven-game winning streak and bring those battling Bucco’s back down to earth.

The Pirates went down early in the first with Pirates starting pitcher Johan Oviedo giving up both an unearned and earned run. The Pirates struck back quickly with a Tucupita Marcano single off of Dodgers starter Noah Synderaard followed by a stolen base and a single by first baseman Carlos Santana to bring him home.

Centerfielder Ji Hwan Bae got the third inning rolling with an infield single and stolen base. Catcher Austin Hedges was hit by a pitch and followed up with a ball ripped down the left field line by star third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes for a double plating two. 

Bae was back at it starting off the bottom of the fourth with another infield hit and another stolen base. Pittsburgh came into the game second in the all of baseball in stolen bases with 27 and tacked on an additional three through the first four innings. Austin Hedges then singled and drove in the Bucco’s fourth run of the evening. After a single by Ke’Bryan Hayes and pop out by Marcano former MVP Andrew McCutchen hit a three run homerun to give the Pirates a 7-2 lead.

The Dodgers didn’t give up yet though, Chris Taylor led the fifth off with a line drive single to right field and advanced to second on a slow roller to Hayes at third. Then with one out catcher Austin Barnes slowly rolled a ball down the first baseline to advance Taylor to third who later scored on an infield single and error on shortstop Rodolfo Castro.

The Pirates chased starer Syndergaard after just four innings and had a final stat line of four innings pitched nine hits seven earned runs and two strikeouts. Victor Gonzalez relieved “Thor” in the fifth and instantly gave up a lead off double to Pirates leftfielder Jack Suwinski but managed to work out of trouble after a couple slow rollers from Connor Joe and Rodolfo Castro and a strikeout of Bae.

Oviedo found himself in trouble in the sixth after a leadoff double from rookie outfielder James Outman and a walk to Miguel Vargas. Followed by on of the Dodgers top prospects Michael Busch who collected his first hit and RBI on a single to center. Chris Taylor hit dropped a flare single into right center and loaded the bases which chases the Buc’s starter. Robert Stephenson comes into the game with one out and bases loaded with Austin Barnes up to bat. Barnes hit a sac fly to center drawing the Dodgers within two. Two down Mookie Betts at the plate two runners on and Betts get’s ahold of one. It’s high, it’s deep, it’s robbed by Jack Suwinski! The Pirates leftfielder stole the go ahead three run homerun from the former AL MVP.

Evan Phillips came in for the Dodgers in the sixth and breezes through with a one, two, three inning. Not to be outdone the Pirates bring in rookie Jose Hernandez who gotFreddie Freeman to roll over a weak ground ball to second base, then struck out pinch hitter Trayce Thompson and James Outman. The Pirates went down quietly in the seventh and turned it over the dominant backend of their bullpen, which was anything but dominant tonight. 

Colin “The Holdman” Holderman came in top of the eighth and gave up a leadoff single to second baseman Miguel Vargas.A weak combacker got the lead runner and was followed up by a walk to Michael Busch. This came back to bite Holderman as Chris Taylor hits a long ball next at bat giving the Dodgers their first lead since the first inning. Holderman is able to stop the bleeding with a strikeout of Austin Barnes and a lineout from Mookie Betts.

A leadoff single by Rodolfo Castro in the bottom of the eighth gave the Pirates some hope. Ji Hwan Bae tried to play small ball and bunt the runner over only to get too much on it and get Castro thrown out at second. Mark Mathias would then pinch hit for catcher Austin Hedges and draw a walk moving the tying run to second base and go ahead run on first. Dodgers setup man Caleb Ferguson fought back and struck out Ke’Bryan Hayes who was trying to put the Buccos ahead on some big swings.Next up Tucupita Marcano was hit by a pitch loading the bases for Pittsburgh legend, Andrew McCutchen who popped out to catcher Austin Barnes to end the inning. 

Duane Underwood Jr came in for the top of the ninth for the Pirates and shut the door after a couple base hits to set the Pirates up to potentially tie the game against Dodgers closer Shelby Miller. Carlos Santana leading off for Pittsburgh hits a weak comebacker to Miller for the first out. Jack Suwinski followed up by battling and working the count full only to roll one over to the second baseman. That brings up Connor Joe who going into his at bat in the ninth is 0-4 with a strikeout, Joe looking to turn his luck around quickly goes down two strikes and takes strike three looking. Just like that the Pirates seven game winning streak has come to an end.

The post Bucco’s Recap 4/25: Despite Seven-Game Win Streak Being Snapped, Buzz Building Around Upstart Pirates! appeared first on INSCMagazine.