Pittsburgh Pirates Takeaways & Throwaways – Kuhl and the Gang ‘Celebrate’

After a much-needed rest following that defeat at the hand of the Reds, the Pittsburgh Pirates looked like a completely different team tonight against the San Diego Padres, defeating them 6-4.

Takeaways

• Replay Challenges – First, The Utley Rule (which should be the Kang Rule) – Jaso hit a weak grounder in the second that would have been an easy double play for shortstop Jorge Rondon to execute – only he didn’t. Perhaps forgetting that the neighborhood play no longer exists, Rondon failed to tag second to get Freese out, then lost his grip on the ball rendering him unable to throw it to first and get Jaso out. Freese was originally called out on the play, but after a challenge by Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle the call was reversed. Freese later scored on a Sean Rodriguez grounder to bring the score within one. Then, in the bottom of the fifth it looked like Josh Harrison was picked off on a stumbling steal of second. Initially he was called out, but when Hurdle challenged the call – SAFE!
• Nerves of Steel – After a rough first in which he allowed two runners to score, rookie pitcher Chad Kuhl hit the bump in the second and struck out the Padres in order in 12 pitches. That’s exactly the type of rebound Pirates pitchers need to be successful.
• BONUS: Josh Harrison for signing autographs and taking photos with fans during the 35-minute rain delay at the start of tonight’s game. He is a shining example of what it means to give back to fans and community.
• BONUS: Andrew McCutchen is showing signs of life. He had 3 walks, 1 strinkeout, 1 hit and one run on the night and perhaps more impressive, according to Greg Brown, his foul ball in the bottom of the 8th was hit over the roof of PNC and left the park – the first in its history.

Throwaways

• Chad Kuhl’s First Inning – After a fantastic first outing as s Pirates pitcher, Kuhl’s second start looked pretty rough – he walked two, gave up two runs and threw 26 pitches in the first. Fortunately, he settled down nicely after that holding the Padres to just two runs through six. The Pirates’ bats were working in Chad’s favor tonight and they got those runs back and then some – saving his bacon.
• The Bullpen – In the 8th Antonio Bastardo gave up a lead-off homer to first baseman Wil Myers. In the 9th, newly-minted closer Tony Watson gave up one to rookie left fielder Jabari Blash. He followed that up by hitting Alexi Ramirez, pinch-hitting for Rondon, in the shin.

W – Chad Kuhl (2-0)
L – Luis Perdomo (5-6)
S – Tony Watson (3)

Line of the Night

David Freese was unstoppable against the Padres. In 5 at-bats he had 3 runs, 3 hits and one strikeout. Equally impressive was the man who helped Freese score two of those runs, Sean Rodriguez, who had 1 hit, 2 RBIs, 1 intentional walk and 1 strikeout in 3 at-bats.
Next Up
Pirates’ Comeback Kid Ryan Vogelsong (1-1) takes the bump against The Padres’ Edwin Jackson (2-2) in the second game of the three-game series at PNC Park. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.