Pirates Takeaways: Beeks Comes Up Big, McCutchen Injury Update

PITTSBURGH — Jalen Beeks didn’t get credited with the win in the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 triumph over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night, but the newly-acquired left-hander sure played a big part.

Mitch Keller effortlessly cruised through the first four innings on the mound at PNC Park before his outing was cut short due to a 68-minute rain delay. Right-hander Dennis Santana was the first one out of the bullpen and allowed all three batters he faced to reach.

Beeks came in facing the toughest situation imaginable for a reliever with the bases loaded, nobody out and the top of the Diamondbacks’ lineup due up.

He induced a weak popup against Corbin Carroll, the first batter he faced, to keep all three runners exactly where they were. Beeks then struck out Ketel Marte, one of the top hitters in baseball this season, for the second out of the inning.

Joc Pederson stepped to the plate with two outs and a lengthy battle ensued. After Pederson fouled off a couple tough offerings from Beeks, he drew a walk on the ninth pitch of the at-bat. Pederson’s walk tied the game at 1-all, but Beeks retired Josh Bell for the final out of the inning.

All things considered, the Pirates couldn’t have asked for much better results from the newest member of the bullpen.

“Beeks was huge,” said manager Derek Shelton. “Coming in bases loaded, nobody out and giving up one run. And you realize Pederson makes you throw strikes. And he’s done that throughout his career. To be there at one, to get Marte right-handed on the punchout, that was big for us.”

Kyle Nicolas, who was awarded the win after tossing a pair of scoreless innings, sung Beeks’ praises in the clubhouse after the game.

“That was big time,” said Nicolas on Beeks limiting the damage. “It was cool seeing a guy, a new guy, coming in a spot like that and being able to limit them to one run. That was probably the main reason we won tonight. He deserves a lot of credit there. That’s not an easy position to be put in. He made the best of it.”

McCutchen Injury Update

Andrew McCutchen exited the game in the top of the sixth inning with left quad tightness. McCutchen grimaced while running to first base on a single to left and walked off the field accompanied by Shelton and athletic trainer Rafael Freitas.

For now, it appears as though McCutchen avoided a serious injury.

“When I got down there, he didn’t think it was bad,” Shelton explained. “But we’re not going to take any chances there and we were able to get him out.”

Though he had to leave the game, McCutchen’s single sparked a three-run rally to help carry the Pirates over the Diamondbacks for an important win.

The speedy Ji Hwan Bae pinch ran for McCutchen and after the substitution, Bryan Reynolds launched a two-run home run to right-center to put the Pirates ahead 3-1. Later in the inning, Joey Bart drove in Connor Joe with a base hit to add to the lead.

Despite a late rally attempt by Arizona in the ninth, David Bednar slammed the door for his 20th save of the season.