Pirates

Pirates Preview: Pérez on Mound for Rubber Match Against Angels

Published

2 weeks ago

May 8, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates were blanked 9-0 by the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night at PNC Park.

The Pirates (17-20) were out-hit 15-3 by the Angels (13-23) and Quinn Priester failed to escape the fifth inning in a lackluster start.

After taking two of three from the Colorado Rockies over the weekend, the Pirates will look for their second-straight series win in a Wednesday matinee.

First pitch is 12:35 ET and the game will be televised on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

A hot and sunny afternoon for baseball with temperatures rising in the 80s throughout the game. Winds W at 13-14 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Martín Pérez (1-2, 3.15 ERA)

Pérez was knocked around in his last start against the Rockies, when he allowed three runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings in a 3-2 Pirates’ loss.

Before his start against the Rockies, Pérez allowed just one unearned run in six innings against the Giants in San Francisco.

Pérez’s biggest strength this season has been his ability to keep the ball in the yard. Opponents have only hit two home runs against him in 40 innings pitched.

The veteran left-hander has an extensive track record against the Angels from his time in the American League West. He’s gone 8-6 with a 4.20 ERA in 25 appearances/20 starts agaisnt the Halos.

The Los Angeles Angels Will Send Out RHP José Soriano (1-4, 3.77 ERA)

Soriano was once a member of the Pirates’ organization but never pitched in a big-league game.

The Pirates selected the right-hander with the first pick in the 2020 Rule 5 draft but he made just two appearances in the organization before he was returned to Los Angeles.

He’s off to a strong start this season through his first seven appearances, five of which have been starts.

Soriano has never faced the Pirates.

Angels Hitters vs. Pérez

Taylor Ward: 5 for 13, two RBIs, four walks, three strikeouts
Luis Rengifo: 4 for 13, one RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Kevin Pillar: 4 for 9, one double, one home run, one RBI, one walk
Jo Adell: 2 for 7, one double, one walk, one strikeout
Brandon Drury: 1 for 6, one double, one walk, two strikeouts
Ehire Adrianza: 0 for 4, one strikeout
Matt Thaiss: 1 for 3
Willie Calhoun: 0 for 3

Pirates Hitters vs. Soriano

Yasmani Grandal: 0 for 1, one strikeout

Tidbits

Since making his debut last year on July 17, Quinn Priester has yielded 2.28 home runs per nine innings, the second-highest mark in that span amongst pitchers with 60-plus innings.
The Pirates have not scored a run in any of Priester’s 21 innings pitched so far this season.
The Pirates have not won back-to-back series since taking their first three series of the season.