Pirates

Pirates Preview: Martín Pérez Returns as Bucs Battle Braves

Published

9 months ago

June 28, 2024

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Martin Perez winds up during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds 6-1 on Wednesday afternoon, giving them a series win before an off day on Thursday.

Luis Ortiz threw six brilliant innings in his first start of the season and Andrew McCutchen and Rowdy Tellez each homered.

The Pirates (39-41) will start a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves (44-35) on Friday night at Truist Park.

First pitch is set for 7:20 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

A beautiful night for baseball. Sunshine and temperatures in the lower 80’s. Winds SSE at 7 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Martín Pérez (1-3, 4.71 ERA)

Pérez had been on the injured list since May 28 with a left groin strain.

The veteran left-hander made one rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis where he allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits with four strikeouts in five innings.

Pérez had an excellent April but struggled in May prior to getting injured. In his last five starts, he had a 7.54 ERA while opponents were hitting .356 against him.

In two previous starts against the Braves, Pérez is 0-1 with an 8.00 ERA.

The Atlanta Braves Will Send Out RHP Charlie Morton (4-4, 4.20 ERA)

Morton will get another chance to face his former team. The 40-year-old pitched in Pittsburgh from 2009-15.

Now in his 17th season, Morton has found a home with the Braves, where he has played for the past five seasons.

Morton comes into his start against the Pirates coming off of a lackluster performance against the New York Yankees. He allowed five runs in 5.2 innings and allowed five hits with five walks.

The right-hander has only faced the Pirates one other time, when he allowed four runs and struck out 12 in six innings.

Braves Hitters vs. Pérez

Ramón Laureano: 2 for 11, one triple, two strikeouts
Matt Olson: 1 for 11, one double, one RBI
Travis d’Arnaud: 1 for 8, one RBI, one strikeout
Sean Murphy: 1 for 7, one double, two walks, two strikeouts
Ozzie Albies: 5 for 6, one double, two home runs, three RBIs
Adam Duvall: 3 for 6, one strikeout
Jarred Kelenic: 1 for 6, one RBI, two strikeouts
Zack Short: 2 for 4, two RBIs, one strikeout
Orlando Arcia: 1 for 4, one strikeout
Marcell Ozuna: 2 for 3, one double, two walks

Pirates Hitters vs. Morton

Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 13, one RBI, three walks, four strikeouts
Rowdy Tellez: 1 for 8, one RBI, three strikeouts
Yasmani Grandal: 2 for 7, two RBIs, one strikeout
Michael A. Taylor: 2 for 7, one double, one RBI, one strikeout
Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 7, one double, one home run, two RBIs, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 3, one double, one RBI, one strikeout
Edward Olivares: 1 for 3, one triple

Tidbits

Luis Ortiz struck out seven batters in his start against the Reds, which tied his career-high set from 2022.
Bryan Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 23 games with a first-inning single on Wednesday. It’s the longest in his career, the longest by a Pirates’ player since 2003 and the longest in the league this season.
The Pirates took two of three from the Braves at PNC Park from May 24-26. The Bucs are 10-7 against the National League East on the year.