COMON Network

By COMON Network Team

Final Score – Pittsburgh Pirates (14-26) 5 def. Chicago White Sox (26-16) 4

WP: Richard Rodriguez (2-2) LP: Ross Detwiler (1-1) SV: N/A

The Pirates walked off Tuesday night in advance of Roberto Clemente Day tomorrow, as they defeated the Chicago White Sox 5-4 on a fielder’s choice, E2 off the bat of Kevin Newman.

The scoring did not start until the fifth. Yoan Moncada singled to center to plate the game’s first run before Yasmani Grandal hit a two-run blast to make it 3-0 White Sox. In the home half, Ke’Bryan Hayes tripled home a run before scoring on Kevin Newman’s infield single that made it 3-2.

In the eighth, Eloy Jimenez doubled, and Jose Abreu scored on a fielding error by Gregory Polanco. That made it 4-2 White Sox. In the bottom half, Jacob Stallings doubled home a run before Erik Gonzalez plated the tying run with a base hit. The ninth started with a base hit by Polanco. Josh Bell then singled. Jason Martin ran for Polanco and advanced on a wild pitch, along with Bell, before Hayes was intentionally walked. Newman’s 57-mph dribbler didn’t go far, but the catcher Grandal dropped the ball, allowing Martin to score.

The two teams meet tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. in the two-game series finale. Every Pirates’ player and staff member will be wearing #21 as the team honors Roberto Clemente Day.

COMON Network Team Commentary

KYLE DAWSON

• These Pirates battle man. They aren’t the most talented bunch but I love battle in any sports team. Two guys who have struggled all year long hit bullets in the ninth and those hits set up the rest of the inning. Josh Bell had a pair of hits and Kevin Newman seems to have a knack for the dramatic, huh? Now, he didn’t hit that ball hard or far, but with a speedy runner at third and the bases full, you’re trying to do anything. What is the worst that happens there? It’s probably an out at home and Jacob Stallings coming up with the bases still full and one out. You’ll take it for sure.
• The Pirates bullpen was excellent again with the exception of our old friend Dovydas. Kyle Crick a zero, Stratton two good innings and Rodriguez did his job. Joe Musgrove doesn’t complete the necessary five, but he was solid in his start, logging four scoreless.
• This game is proof that it doesn’t have to be pretty offensively. Just do the little things and make the hustle plays that can make such a big difference: Newman’s 8th inning double is a perfect snapshot of that idea.
• Don’t look now! The Bucs are 10-10 in the last 20 (insert laughing emoji here).

Player of the Game – Kevin Newman (PIT)

Ryan Simpson

• The fact that this Pirates team held the White Sox to only four runs is great. Chicago was 16-4 in the last 20 games and they are in the hunt to win their division. Meanwhile, the Bucs are just playing for next year.
• Musgrove looked sharp in his outing tonight. He was REALLY feeling his curveball and just recklessly throwing it while still going swing and misses. Only throwing four innings tonight, looked very strong doing it. I’m ready for Joe and Jamo to shove next year at the top of the rotation.
• Gonzalez is just a dog. He knocked in Cole Tucker for his 19^th RBI tonight which leads the team, then just stole second base and finally threw to THIRD on a routine grounder to nab the lead runner because he was feeling himself tonight. It’s great to see him doing so well, but he is also putting GM Ben Cherington in a bind. The Pirates are well-stocked in the infield; hell, they moved Tucker to the outfield because of how well Gonzalez is playing. I think Gonzalez is trade bait this offseason, but we shall see.
• What a final inning by the Pirates: Polanco singles, Bell singles, Hayes one week after debuting stays patient to draw the intentional pass and “Mr. Walkoff ” Kevin Newman walks it off with a dribbler. Walkoffs on back to back nights for the Bucs and maybe the team keeps this up, they can get to twenty wins on the year.

Player of the Game – Erik Gonzalez (PIT)