Pirates Preview: Andrew Heaney Will Try to Replicate Last Start on 4/12 Day

The Pittsburgh Pirates fell 5-3 to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday in the opening matchup of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.

Bailey Falter struggled with command which led to a big early lead for the Reds and the Pirates couldn’t muster enough offense to come from behind.

The Pirates (5-9) will now try and even up the series against the division-rival Reds (6-8) on Saturday night. And a Happy 4/12 Day, Pittsburgh!

First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh as well as 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

A pleasant but cool night for baseball with clear skies and temperatures in the mid-50s for first pitch. Winds N-NNW at 5-8 mph.

LHP Andrew Heaney (0-0, 1.50 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Heaney was brilliant in his last start against the New York Yankees on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park.

The left-hander held a powerful Yankees’ lineup to just one run in 7.0 innings and struck out 10 batters, which matched his season-high from last year.

In his first start of the season, Heaney threw 5.0 innings against the Rays in Tampa and allowed one run on four hits with one walk and a pair of strikeouts.

Heaney has faced the Reds twice in his career and has been pretty untouchable. He’s 2-0 and has allowed one run on six hits with 15 strikeouts in 11.1 innings.

LHP Andrew Abbott Will Start for the Reds

The Reds will activate Abbott (rotator cuff strain) from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut on Saturday night.

Last year with the Reds, Abbott made 25 starts and went 10-10 with a 3.72 ERA. In 138.0 innings, he allowed 127 hits, walked 52 and struck out 114.

The 25-year-old made a pair of starts in spring training and allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts and one walk in 7.0 innings.

He’s 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA (4er/10.0ip) in two prior matchups against the Pirates.

Reds Hitters vs. Heaney

• Jose Trevino: 2 for 8, two strikeouts
• Jeimer Candelario: 4 for 7, two doubles, two home runs, seven RBI, two strikeouts
• Jake Fraley: 0 for 5, four strikeouts
• Austin Wynns: 0 for 4, three strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. Abbott

• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 5, two home runs, two RBI
• Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 5, one double, two strikeouts
• Endy Rodríguez: 0 for 4, two strikeouts
• Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 3, one RBI, one strikeout

Tidbits

• Adam Frazier homered in Saturday’s loss, his first of the season and first since 9/13/24. That home run came against the Pirates off RHP Kyle Nicolas.
• Bailey Falter allowed three runs in the first inning. Last season, the left-hander had a 7.07 ERA in the first inning of his starts.
• The Pirates did not get their first hit against Reds’ starter Brady Singer until Tommy Pham hit an RBI double with one out in the fifth. It snapped a stretch of 12-consecutive innings without a hit against an opposing starting pitcher.

Links

Perrotto: David Bednar Making Case for Triumphant Return

Pirates’ 2024 First-Rounder Konnor Griffin Flashes Potential With Huge Game

Pirates Sloppy Early in Loss to Reds; Frazier’s Home Run Not Enough

Pirates Roster Moves: Kyle Nicolas Recalled; Thomas Harrington Optioned

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