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Pittsburgh Pirates 9, Texas Rangers 1: Stars And Stiffs
By Marty Leap
The Pittsburgh Pirates started their road trip with a 9-1 victory over the Texas Rangers of Friday night.
On Friday night the Pittsburgh Pirates stated a seven game road trip. The road trip began with the Pirates facing one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball in Cole Hamels. Yet, the Pirates were victorious.
The Pittsburgh Pirates picked up a 9-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night. The Bucs slugged four home runs, and chased Cole Hamels after just 4 2/3 innings. Here are the Pittsburgh Pirates three stars and stiffs from Friday night’s victory.
STARS
Designated hitter Jung Ho Kang – Jung Ho Kang got the start at DH for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night, and he played a huge role in the Pirate victory. Kang went 2-for-5 at the plate with his sixth home run of the season. Kang’s home run was three-run blast in the top of the fifth inning.
Kang’s home run came with the Pirates leading 3-0. His home run extended the Pirate lead to 6-0, and helped to chase Texas starting pitcher Cole Hamels. On the season, Kang now has a 1.098 OPS and he has been obliterating pitching.
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Starting pitcher Jon Niese – Left-handed pitcher Jon Niese got the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight, and he continued his string of recent good starts. Niese pitched six innings and allowed one run on on seven hits, one walk, and two strike outs.
After tonight’s start Niese’s ERA has dropped to 4.42 on the season. While that does not sound all that great, he has been awesome of late. In his last four starts Niese has pitched 25 2/3 innings he’s allowed 23 hits, five walks, and he has a 2.46 ERA.
I said a few weeks ago that the Pittsburgh Pirates needed Jon Niese to begin to pitch more like the number three pitcher that he is. In his last four starts, Niese has pitched even better than that. It appears that Niese has begun to turn the corner for the Pirates.
Left fielder Starling Marte – On Friday night Pirate left fielder Starling Marte did a lot of things well. At the plate Marte went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, he was hit by pitch, he scored two runs, and he stole a base. Also, Marte played his always strong leftfield defense.
Starling Marte is arguably the Pittsburgh Pirates best player, and he showed it again on Friday night. After Friday night’s performance Starling Marte owns a .324/.366/.475/.841 slash line, a .367 wOBA, and a a 133 wRC+. When you combine this with his 15 stolen bases and Gold Glove defense, Starling Marte is simply one of the best players in the National League.
STIFFS
Catcher Francisco Cervelli – Bucco backstop Francisco Cervelli wen 0-for-5 at the plate on Friday night. Francisco Cervelli’s recent offensive struggles continued on Friday night. However, I still have a lot of faith in Cervelli and expect him to be just fine.
Shortstop Jordy Mercer – Even though he scored a run after reaching base on an error, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer was still 0-for-5 at the plate on Friday night. This was an unusually bad game for Mercer who entered the night with a .299 batting average.
Next: Pittsburgh Pirates Make Rare Trip to Texas for Matchup With Rangers
That will do it for tonight. This game was a very good victory for the Pirates, as they picked up a blowout road win over one of the American League’s best teams and pitchers. Tomorrow it is Yu Darvish against Juan Nicasio at 8:15pm as the Bucs go for the series victory.