Reunion night yesterday in Pittsburgh as the surprising Pirates hosted the Chicago White Sox.
First of all, this game marked the return to the Pirates uniform of Andrew McCutchen, he who had shone for nine seasons in Pittsburgh, before leaving after the 2017 campaign. McCutchen represented the Pirates in five All-Star Games while by receiving the title of MVP in the National, in 2013.
Yesterday, he received a welcome worthy of the greatest from the fans of the team who are happy to finally see him back home. In 2023, the 36-year-old veteran is entering his 16th season in major league baseball.
Also inspired by the presence of Russell Martin and AJ Burnett, the Pirates upset the Chicago White Sox by the score of 13-9. Martin and Burnett threw the first pitch of the home opener for the Pirates. The two companions had a few good years in Pennsylvania and the crowd present at PNC Park was quick to remind them.
The Pirates are surprising at the start of the season and it is largely thanks to the brilliance of their outfielder Bryan Reynolds. Yesterday again, the latter shone in attack by being ruthless for the pitchers of the White Sox. Reynolds drove in six runs and inflated his batting average to .448.
This game, focused on the attack, gave the gunners of both teams headaches. In total, the Pirates and White Sox batters had 30 hits, including six home runs. The two starting pitchers, Rich Hill (Pirates) and Lucas Giolito (White Sox), were unable to get past the fourth inning.
Like Reynolds for the locals, Luis Robert Jr. also had a colossal game, but on the losing side. The center fielder drove in five of his team’s nine points. His teammate Tim Anderson had four hits in five appearances at the plate. In addition, he scored four points.
Connor Joe also contributed to the victory for his team with a game of four hits.
The Pirates (5-2) are second in the National Central, one game behind the leaders, the Milwaukee Brewers (6-1). They won their fourth straight win yesterday.
