COMON Network

By COMON Network Team

Final Score – Chicago White Sox (26-16) 8 def. Pittsburgh Pirates (14-27) 1

WP: Dane Dunning (1-0) LP: JT Brubaker (1-1) SV: N/A

The Chicago White Sox, behind fine work from Dane Dunning, who picked up his first big-league win, spoiled Roberto Clemente Day in Pittsburgh, as they raced away with an 8-1 victory as the two teams met for the final time this season Wednesday at PNC Park.

The Chi Sox drew first blood as James McCann hit a solo homer in the third. Yasmani Grandal singled home Yoan Moncada before McCann picked up a second RBI with a sac fly in the fourth. Later in the inning, Nick Madrigal singled home a run to make it 5-0 White Sox. In the sixth, McCann hit a two-run shot, his second tater of the night. Chicago scored its eighth and final run on a Moncada double in the same inning.

The only run on a four-hit night for the Bucs came in the eighth and scored on a catcher’s interference play.

The Pirates have tomorrow off before heading to Kansas City for a weekend series. The series opener Friday is slated for 8:05 p.m. ET. We will not have commentary Friday night with most of our team out covering high school football in Western PA. Commentary will return Saturday night for game two of the series.

COMON Network Team Commentary

KYLE DAWSON

• Forget about the game for a second. How awesome were all the tributes and stories on Roberto Clemente Day? Man, seeing the whole team in that 21 jersey was something. It doesn’t matter if you were alive to see Clemente play, though I’m sure most of us die-hard Pirates’ and baseball fans would’ve given a lot to see him play. If you weren’t, you have heard stories. You have seen clips. You’ve seen the stats. You’ve seen the history books’ details on the human that Clemente was. You have heard Latin American and Puerto Rican baseball players rave about what Roberto meant to them growing up and what he still means to them. What a night and what a first-class, awesome move from Derek Shelton to kick this thing off with the organization. Excellent work by all involved.
• As for the game, there isn’t much to talk about. JT Brubaker was really good through two and then not so much after. James McCann had a good night for the White Sox. Nobody really stood out offensively for the Pirates. Shoutout to Nick Tropeano though: another three innings of scoreless ball for him to bring his ERA down to 0.84. Dane Dunning was good too for the White Sox and boy that team can hit it.

Player of the Game – James McCann (CWS)

RYAN SIMPSON

• Sad to see the Buccos lose on Clemente Day.
• JT Brubaker did not have a good night as the bats of the White Sox came out with a vengeance tonight. Eight runs on eleven hits is not the winning formula for a ball team. Bashlor did not have a great outing either, but this bullpen has been so good as of late.
• The Pirates only had four hits and four walks on the night as the Sox staff was very good tonight. Speaking of very good, every White Sox starter recorded a hit tonight. This Chicago team is scary and I honestly hope that they make a run in the postseason.
• The Pirates continued to struggle at the plate with the only run that came across due to catcher’s interference while Polanco was up in the eighth inning. The Pirates have now lost eight games this year while giving up more than five runs and they are 2-12 in Interleague play. The hope of 20 wins is not looking great.

Player of the Game – Dane Dunning (CWS)

JOE SMELTZER

• Although the decision didn’t pay off, good on Derek Shelton to let JT Brubaker pitch into the sixth. Brubaker could be an important part of the Pirates future, and if that’s the plan, he needs to pitch deep into games. He got knocked around tonight, but having a chance to get through that despite those struggles is a nice baby step. 
• Shelton’s idea to have every Pirate wear 21 to commentate Roberto Clemente was excellent, and probably should have been done years ago. Hopefully next year, every team in the league follows suit.
• I’ve waited a while to get to the obvious, but phew, this game stunk. 

Player of the Game – James McCann (CWS)