Perrotto: Batting Average of .143 Does Not Deter Pirates (+)

PITTSBURGH – Austin Hedges had just gotten a rare extra-base hit – heck, a rare hit of any kind – when a fan at PNC Park let him have it after the Pittsburgh Pirates catcher barely touched second base.

“Hedges, you’re still hitting .140,” the fan yelled.

The insult was audible to all Monday night as attendance was just 9,596 for Mitch Keller’s four-hit shutout against the Colorado Rockies.

The Pirates made it clear when they signed Hedges to a one-year, $5-million contract as a free agent that the move was made to bolster their defense and help the pitching staff. It was public knowledge that Hedges had hit .169/.228/.274 over three seasons and 199 games with the Cleveland Guardians from 2020-22.