Pirates

Pirates’ Rowdy Tellez Goes Full Shohei Ohtani

Published

2 months ago

August 24, 2024

PITTSBURGH — Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way sensation and a one-of-a-kind talent, has some company.

Though he’s not been able to pitch this year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Ohtani earned a $700 million contract from the Dodgers in the offseason thanks to his superstar ability both on the mound and in the batter’s box.

Ohtani’s hitting and baserunning prowess have both been on full display in his first season with the Dodgers. On Friday night, the two-time MVP clinched a 40-40 season by clubbing a walk-off grand slam against the Tampa Bay Rays. It was Ohtani’s 40th blast of the season to go along with 40 steals, making the chances of a 50-50 season at least possible.

Though he might not have Ohtani’s speed, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Rowdy Tellez still did his best Ohtani impression against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on Saturday night.

In front of the Pirates’ newest team Hall of Fame inductees, the burly Tellez clobbered a two-run home run into the Allegheny River. The mammoth blast wasn’t close to enough, however, as the Pirates were on the losing end of a 10-2 blowout.

Rowdy to the Allegheny 💥 pic.twitter.com/6xm8se7nHN

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 24, 2024

But because the score was so lopsided, the Pirates went with a position player to handle the top of the ninth inning, and Tellez was the man that was called upon for what was his second-career pitching appearance.

It was no easy task for Tellez, who began his outing by facing Elly De La Cruz. The speedy De La Cruz led off the ninth with a base hit, but Tellez didn’t ger rattled. Four pitches after the leadoff single, Tellez induced a double-play ball to erase the speedy De La Cruz.

A flyout to left field against Pittsburgh-native TJ Friedl for the third out ensured Tellez kept his career ERA at a perfect 0.00.

When he trotted out to the mound, the 38,137 fans in attendance erupted into cheers. Chants of his name echoed throughout the stadium while he was pitching, and Tellez received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd as he walked off the field after a dazzling performance.

“You just want someone to put the ball on the plate,” manager Derek Shelton said. “It’s challenging because you’re talking about major-league hitters and you’re talking about a position player (pitching). It’s kind of a crapshoot but he did a good job.”