BRADENTON, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: Manager Derek Shelton #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses during the 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Photo Day at Pirate City on February 20, 2024 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
In Pittsburgh, Gio Urshela, Kerry Carpenter, and Jake Rogers each drove in runs with singles in the ninth inning, propelling the Detroit Tigers to a 5-3 comeback victory over the Pirates on Tuesday.
The Tigers, who had only won once in their last six games, capitalized on the struggles of Pirates closer David Bednar (1-1), who faltered in his attempt to secure the win, marking his third blown save in four opportunities.
Trailing 3-1 as they entered the final inning, Detroit seized the momentum against Bednar, a former All-Star who had missed a significant portion of spring training due to injury. Bednar’s woes began with a walk to Tyler Greene, followed by hitting Spencer Torkelson with a pitch. Urshela then delivered a single, driving in both runners when Michael A. Taylor’s errant throw from center field allowed them to score.
Pittsburgh’s manager, Derek Shelton, acknowledged Bednar’s recent command issues, emphasizing the importance of improving in that aspect.
Detroit’s rally continued as Carpenter and Rogers added RBI singles, ultimately securing a split of the brief two-game series.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch highlighted his team’s ability to capitalize on key moments, a stark contrast to their recent losses against Pittsburgh.
Urshela and Matt Vierling led Detroit’s offense with two hits each, while Shelby Miller earned the win with a scoreless eighth inning, and Jason Foley notched his third save by closing out the ninth. Starter Casey Mize, still working his way back from Tommy John surgery, showed promise with his velocity reaching 98 mph.
Edward Olivares provided much of Pittsburgh’s offense with two home runs, while Ke’Bryan Hayes contributed with two hits and an RBI.
Despite Olivares’s efforts, Pittsburgh fell short, unable to maintain their early lead, resulting in their record slipping to 9-3, unable to match their best 12-game start since 1992.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pittsburgh Pirates update:
– Catcher Yasmani Grandal, dealing with left foot plantar fasciitis, is set to start a baserunning program in the near future. Despite his injury, Grandal has been able to participate in at-bats against a pitching simulator.
– Catcher Jason Delay continues to be sidelined from all baseball activities due to a knee issue.
– Second baseman Ji-Hwan Bae, who has been rehabbing a left hip injury, has had his rehab assignment moved to Triple-A Indianapolis.
UP NEXT
Tigers: Detroit will have a day off on Wednesday before kicking off an eight-game homestand on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins. Tarik Skubal, with a 1-0 record and a 2.92 ERA, will start the opener for the Tigers.
Pirates: Pittsburgh will start a seven-game road trip on Thursday in Philadelphia, where rookie Jared Jones, with a 1-1 record and a 3.86 ERA, will make his third major-league start.
