The Pirates fought hard last night but Jazz Chisholm made the difference for the Yankees.
Joe Block recaps the Bucs’ loss in the Bronx.
Manager Donnie Kelly says Braxton Ashcraft couldn’t master his breaking pitches in a start that was very similar to his game against the Phillies three weeks ago.
Kelly was awed by the opposite-field home run by Esmerlyn Valdez but says the young outfielder is about more than just power.
The benches cleared in the eighth inning when the Pirates’ Dennis Santana took umbrage with the Yankees’ Jose Caballero’s delay tactics at the plate. The confrontation came after Caballero had grounded into an inning-ending double play.
First baseman Spencer Horwitz will begin a rehab assignment today with Low-A Bradenton. He’s been on the injured list with a hamstring issue since June 25th.
The Pirates yesterday signed four more draft picks, all late-round college pitchers, and they picked up an undrafted free agent pitcher as well. Right-handers Griffin Stieg (13th round), Liam O’Leary (15th round), and Nathan Hellman (17th round), left-hander Dakota Stone (20th round), and free agent righty Kyle Calzadiaz all inked contracts.
A sign that Pittsburgh sports fans are always paying attention: after a fan complained on “X” yesterday about the Bucs blowing leads and losing games, Penguins President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas jumped online to stand up for the Pirates, writing, “another Pittsburgh team had that very issue last winter and managed to rectify to make the playoffs. Keep the faith and Go Bucs!!”
