Jared Triolo’s Single Difference as Bucs Salvage Finale Against Guardians

Recap

After being outscored 21-1 over the course of the first two games of the series things looked bleak for the Pirates as they came into the final game of a three-game set with the Cleveland Guardians. However, the Pirates offense exploded late in the game and a Jared Triolo two-RBI single was the difference maker for Pittsburgh as they held on to beat the Guardians 7-5. 

The Pirates had their work cut out for them as they trailed 4-0 after Rich Hill pitched three scoreless innings to begin the game then gave up four runs through five innings of work. 

But unlike in their previous two games, the Pirates began to claw their way back slicing the lead in the bottom of the inning after Nick Gonzales hit a single into centerfield to put the Pirates on the board Jack Suwinski roped a double off the Clemente wall. 

After being held quiet in the bottom half of the sixth inning the Pittsburgh offense exploded in the seventh. 

The Pirates batted around in the seventh inning as Nick Gonzales worked a one-out walk. Endy Rodriguez picked up his first major league knock on a bloop single to center field. 

Connor Joe would then load the bases as he hit a sharp ground ball to Amed Rosario who made a diving attempt and couldn’t field it cleanly. 

The inning looked to be over after the bases were loaded for Bryan Reynolds as he grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. But after a video review, it was deemed that Reynolds was safe at first base. 

With the Pirates still trailing by one run, Carlos Santana worked a full-count walk to once again load the bases. 

After the walk, Ji-Man Choi gave the Pirates their first lead of the game as he scored two on a two-out RBI single into right field. 

After putting up a five spot in the bottom half of the seventh inning Cleveland would get a run back as Josh Bell hit a solo home run against his former club off of Ryan Borucki. 

Key Moment

The Pirates trailed by two runs entering in the bottom of the seventh inning and after a Carlos Santana walk to reload the bases in the inning Ji-Man Choi cashed in depositing an RBI single into right field to give the Pirates their first lead of the game. 

Star of the Game

Jared Triolo continues to impress in his first 17 games at the big league level as he contributed two singles including a two-RBI single which gave the Pirates the insurance that they needed to hold on against Cleveland.

Stat of Interest

Jared Triolo becomes just the third player in Pirates history since 1900 to record a hitting streak of 12-plus games within his first 17 games in the majors. 

Noteworthy

• Nick Gonzales recorded his sixth multi-hit game of the season this afternoon as he had two singles in an RBI in the loss. 
• Jack Suwinski recorded his first hit of the second half of the season this afternoon on a two-out RBI double of the Clemente Wall. 
• Ryan Borucki has struck out 11 batters in his last six outings. 
• Jared Triolo extended his hitting streak to 12 games this afternoon after a single in the fifth inning off of Aaron Civale, now the second longest current hitting streak in Major League Baseball.

Up Next

The Pirates now will head out west to take on the Los Angeles Angles on Friday as they embark on a six-game road trip.