Pirates Preview: Bucs, Pérez Looking to Bounce Back

Quinn Priester had the best start of his career against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night, but the Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 3-0.

Priester shutout San Francisco (13-14) across six innings pitched on three hits and struck out six batters, the second-most he’s had in a start in the big leagues.

Despite Priester’s best efforts, the Pirates (13-14) once again fell flat at the plate and David Bednar surrendered a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to Patrick Bailey.

The Pirates will look to get back to .500 on Saturday night.

First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Clear skies with temperatures in the upper-50s and winds WNW at 14-21 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Martín Pérez (1-1, 3.45 ERA)

Pérez is coming off his fifth start and his worst since joining the Pirates.

The left-hander struggled with efficiency and was charged with four runs on six hits in four innings pitched. Though he struck out seven, he walked four batters.

Despite the subpar outing, Pérez has given the Pirates everything they could have hoped for through the early portion of the season.

Pérez is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in two career starts against the Giants.

The San Francisco Giants Will Send Out RHP Jordan Hicks (2-0, 1.61 ERA)

The Giants signed Hicks as a free agent in the offseason and surprised many by saying the right-hander would start. The daring move has so far looked genius.

Entering the season, eight of Hicks’ 212 appearances between the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays were as a starting pitcher.

Entering play, Hicks is fifth in the National League and eighth in baseball with his 1.61 ERA.

Hicks has made 19 appearances against the Pirates and is 1-3 with a 4.91 ERA.

Giants Hitters vs. Pérez

• Jorge Soler: 6 for 20, one double, one home run, three RBIs, two walks, three strikeouts
• Matt Chapman: 7 for 17, three doubles, one RBI, one walk, four strikeouts
• Michael Conforto: 1 for 9, two RBIs, one walk, four strikeouts
• Tom Murphy: 0 for 9, five strikeouts
• Wilmer Flores: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Hicks

• Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 5, one home run, three RBIs, one walk, two strikeouts
• Connor Joe: 1 for 2, one triple, one walk, one strikeout
• Jack Suwinski: 1 for 2, one home run, one RBI

Tidbits

• Prior to his shutout on Friday, Priester had allowed multiple runs in each of his previous 11 appearances and three or more in 10 of those 11.
• The Pirates have a .221 batting average with runners in scoring position which is 25th in baseball. Their .307 slug in such situations is 26th.
• The Pirates are averaging 3.39 runs per game in the month of April.

Links

Perrotto: Could Nick Gonzales Spark Pirates’ Offense?

Pirates Prospect Watch: Reed, Hilson Star For Marauders

Quinn Priester’s Best Start Goes for Naught as Giants Beat Pirates 3-0

Pirates Recall Kyle Nicolas, Option Ryder Ryan

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