The early rise of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Central District of the National League continues.
On the 16th (Korean time), Pittsburgh defeated the home team, the Cardinals, 6-3 in the 10th inning at St. Louis Busch Stadium, recording a record of 9-6. St. Louis fell to 6-9. Although it is early in the season, it is ranked second in the district following the Milwaukee Brewers (10-5).
Pittsburgh coach Derek Selton is shifting Super Utility Man Bae Ji-hwan to the batting order according to starting pitcher due to shortstop O’Neill Cruz’s ankle fracture. Top hitter when right-handed, number 8 when left-handed pitches. The day before, he was appointed as the top hitter for St. Louis right-hander Jake Woodford. However, on this day, left-hander Steven Matz was selected as number 8.
Bae Ji-hwan, who played as center fielder No. 8, went 4 at bats with no hits and 1 strikeout, and his batting average dropped to 0.217. The previous day, he was 1 hit in 3 at-bats and 1 stolen base. Currently, he has played in 13 games, and the only multi-hits are the opening game against the Cincinnati Reds and the home opener against the Chicago White Sox. For Bae Ji-hwan, who is virtually guaranteed a full-time business trip, batting average and on-base are the key. Stealing bases is the most in the team with 4th in the season.
Choi Ji-man could not play in two consecutive games. On the day of the 6-3 victory, right-handed hitter Andrew McCutchen, who hit the final home run, was appointed as the designated hitter and Carlos Santana as first baseman. 바카라
Pittsburgh tied the game 3-3, and in the top of the 10th inning, McCutchen hit a two-run home run that put St. Louis Fireballer Jordan Hicks’ slider into the left stand. Hicks, who throws a 160 km (100 mph) fastball, threw a slider on all seven pitches against McCutchen, bringing his own anger. It is difficult for hitters to adapt to the fast ball as they get older. McCutchen is 36 years old.
Following McCutchen’s two-run four, Rodolphe Castro made it 6-3 with a timely hit, recording 2 wins and 1 loss in 3 games in the series.
It is the first time since 2018 that Pittsburgh has posted a win rate of 50% or more in the first 15 games of the season. In 2018, they recorded 11 wins and 4 losses in the first 15 games. However, as the season ended with 82 wins and 79 losses, advancing to the postseason was thwarted.
Pittsburgh right-hander Mitch Keller (1 win 3.57) and St. Louis right-hander Miles Michaels (1 loss 10.05) face off in the final game of the 4-game series on the 17th.