Pirates

Pirates Preview: Luis Ortiz Makes Return to Pittsburgh to Face Bucs

Published

1 month ago

April 18, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates notched their second series win of the season with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon.

Oneil Cruz’s leadoff home run was all Andrew Heaney needed. The left-hander tossed 7.1-shutout innings en route to the win.

The homestand continues on Friday night as the Pirates (8-12) welcome the Cleveland Guardians (9-9) for an Easter Weekend series.

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

Weather

Finally some baseball weather. Mix of sun and clouds with temperatures around 80 degrees. Winds SSW at 13-14 mph.

RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (1-2, 6.23 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Mlodzinski took the loss in his last start against the Reds after he was charged with four runs in 4.1 innings on Sunday.

In his lone start at home this season, Mlodzinski got the win after holding the Cardinals to one run across 5.0 innings.

Through 13.0 innings to begin the season, the right-hander has allowed 17 hits, walked six and struck out 14. He has yet to surrender a home run.

In two relief appearances against Cleveland, Mlodzinski allowed four runs in 2.0 innings.

RHP Luis Ortiz (1-2, 6.06 ERA) vs. Will Start for the Guardians

For the second time in as many games, the Pirates will be facing one of their former pitchers at PNC Park.

Ortiz spent three seasons in Pittsburgh and went 12-13 with a 3.93 ERA in 59 appearances/34 starts before he was dealt to Cleveland for Spencer Horwitz this offseason.

After a rough Guardians debut’, Ortiz delivered a quality start in his second start against the Angeles and struck out 10 in 5.2 innings in his last outing against the Royals.

This will be his force time pitching against his former team.

Guardians Hitters vs. Mlodzinski

Carlos Santana: 1 for 3, two strikeouts
Jhonkensy Noel:1 for 1, one home run, two RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Ortiz

Tommy Pham: 2 for 5, two RBI, one walk
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 0 for 4

Tidbits

Bailey Falter and Andrew Heaney became the first pair of Pirates left-handed starters to throw 7.0-plus scoreless innings in consecutive team games since John Candelaria and Larry McWilliams did so from July 25-27, 1982.
Heaney’s 7.1 innings on Thursday are the most he’s had in a start since throwing 7.2 innings against the Mariners while with the Angels on Aug. 28, 2020.
Oneil Cruz is the first Major League player to hit a grand slam, then a leadoff home run, in consecutive plate appearances since Houston’s Jose Altuve from June 15-16, 2021. He’s also the first Pirate to do that since Kirk Gibson from April 20-22, 1992.