Pirates

Pirates Preview: Luis Ortiz Makes Second Start This Season as Bucs Look to Rebound

Published

3 months ago

July 7, 2024

A day after erupting for 14 runs, the Pittsburgh Pirates couldn’t muster much offensively and fell 5-2 to the New York Mets at PNC Park on Saturday.

Bailey Falter left his start in the third inning with left posterior arm discomfort and is being examined. Oneil Cruz provided all the offense with a two-run home run that bounced off the foul pole and into the Allegheny River.

The Pirates (42-46) will look to bounce back against the Mets (43-44) in the third of four games on Sunday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 1:35 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Partly cloudy skies with temperatures approaching 90 degrees. Winds WSW at 6 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Luis Ortiz (4-2, 3.27 ERA)

Ortiz has done it all for the Pirates this season and will make his second start of the season.

The right-hander started against the Reds on June 26 and tossed six-excellent innings. He allowed one run, struck out seven batters and earned the win. In addition to his lone start, Ortiz has been used as a bulk reliever and a traditional bullpen arm.

Though he was terrific in his first start this season, Ortiz has been much more successful as a reliever in his career. As a starting pitcher, he carries a 4.64 ERA compared to a 3.59 mark out of the bullpen.

Ortiz faced the Mets one other time in his career — earlier this season in New York. He was tagged for three runs in 1.2 innings.

The New York Mets Will Send Out LHP Sean Manaea (5-3, 3.67 ERA)

Manaea is having a solid season with the Mets, his first year in New York after signing in the winter as a free agent.

The left-hander has played well recently and is coming off of a start in which he allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits with five strikeouts in seven innings against the Nationals.

He’s held opponents to a .227 batting average and a .653 OPS, both the best marks of any full season in his career.

Manaea has faced the Pirates four times and is 0-1 with a 3.93 ERA.

Mets Hitters vs. Ortiz

Harrison Bader: 1 for 3, one RBI, one strikeout
J.D. Martinez: 0 for 2, one strikeout
Pete Alonso: 1 for 1

Pirates Hitters vs. Manaea

Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 9, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Jack Suwinski: 1 for 9, two strikeouts
Connor Joe: 0 for 6, one strikeout
Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 5, one home run, two RBIs, two walks
Michael A. Taylor: 2 for 5, one home run, two RBIs, two strikeouts
Joey Bart: 0 for 4, three strikeouts
Edward Olivares: 0 for 4, one walk, one strikeout
Rowdy Tellez: 2 for 3
Yasmani Grandal: 0 for 3, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout

Tidbits

Derek Shelton was ejected in the seventh inning for arguing balls and strikes. It was the third time this season Shelton was ejected from a game.
Oneil Cruz’s home run made it 10 games in a row at PNC Park in which the Pirates have homered. It’s the longest streak since 2017.
Andrew McCutchen went 0 for 4 with a walk in the loss. Since June 19, McCutchen is hitting just .137 (7 for 51).