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Top five Pittsburgh Pirates moments from the 2015 regular season
Sep 13, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang (27) hits an RBI single against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
As the 2015 regular season comes to a close for the Pittsburgh Pirates, it is hard not to reflect on some of the key moments that made this such a good year for the organization. Though the Pirates were unable to keep up with the St. Louis Cardinals for the National League Central crown, they will be hosting the 2015 NL Wild Card game against the Chicago Cubs. As we prepare for that game on Wednesday night, it’s only fitting to reflect by counting down some of the best moments from the 2015 regular season*.
*Of course, we hope to come back and highly edit this post in about a month or so. Sound good? Ok meet us back here then. Until then…here are our top moments.
5.) 8-25-15 Jung Ho Kang‘s first career two home run game v.s San Francisco
Though this particular “moment” may not be considered a huge highlight in the eyes of some people, Jung Ho Kang’s first career multi home run game was a special moment in my eyes. On this day, Kang hit his 11th and 12th home runs of his rookie campaign, leading the Pirate to a 3-2 victory over the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants. Kang, who will miss the remainder of the regular season as well as the postseason, had a stellar rookie campaign, hitting .287 with 15 home runs and 58 RBI in 126 games. Up until his injury, I particularly thought that Kang had a legitimate chance to win the National League Rookie of the Year award, despite monster numbers compiled by Chicago Cubs star rookie Kris Bryant. Kang had a season that exceeded all expectations and this particular game against San Francisco showed how dominant he was throughout the year. He solidified himself as a dangerous force in the middle of the Pirates lineup and on this day, he put the team on his back offensively and captivated the hometown crowd at PNC Park.
We move on with our list of top five moments with one of the biggest question marks going into 2015.
Next: Russell Who?
4.) 6-15-15 Francisco Cervelli‘s show of emotion following first inning triple v.s Chicago White Sox
On June 15, the Pirates opened a four game series with the Chicago White Sox at PNC Park. Coming into the game with a four game winning streak, the Pirates jumped all over the White Sox, scoring five runs in the first inning alone. However, the key moment occurred with the Pirates already up 2-0 and men on first and second. Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli came to the plate with no one out and delivered with a two run triple into the gap in right-center field that put the Pirates up 4-0. The Bucs would go on to win the contest 11-0 and sweep the Sox in four games. It wasn’t just the play that made this a great moment, but what really caught my attention was the passion shown by Cervelli as he slid into third base. With a gigantic smile on his face, the 29-year old clapped his hands together and pointed into the home dugout in celebration. This was the type of excitement that Cervelli brought the team all season long. He proved to be the solidified starting catcher and provided the Pirates with an All-Star caliber 2015 campaign.
Seems there’s been a lot of talk about AJ Burnett lately. And rightfully so. Yet it’s easy to forget that, in a year of endings for Batman, there was also a pretty big first in his career.
Next: Finally, an honor long overdue
Oct 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (34) reacts to the crowd as he takes a curtain call after being removed from the game against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning at PNC Park. This was the final regular season start of Burnett
3.) AJ Burnett chosen to first All-Star game in final year
One of the best stories of the 2015 campaign was the first half dominance shown by 38-year old veteran pitcher AJ Burnett. After leaving the Pirates after the 2013 season to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies, Burnett returned to the Pirates this season, signing a one-year deal and making it clear that this was to be his final season. Prior to the 2015 All-Star break, Burnett went 7-3 with a 2.11 ERA in 18 starts. He also showed that he didn’t lose touch of his strikeout pitch, compiling 100 strikeouts in 119.1 innings. After 17 Major League seasons, Burnett was voted to his first career All-Star game, enjoying the festivities with some of the best players in baseball as well as his two young sons. In his three seasons as a Pittsburgh Pirate, Burnett has been a constant fan favorite. This specific moment is one of my favorites from 2015. It is a special moment surrounding a special player who Pirates fans will not forget
Our number two moment for the 2015 Pittsburgh Pirates energized the team for the second half, and may have been the catalyst for their surge to the second best record in baseball.
Next: Walk it out
2.) 7-12-2015 – Pirates walk off to end first half
To say that the Pirates ended the first half of the 2015 regular season in style would be a huge understatement. In a pivotal series against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pirates looked to gain ground the National League Central division race with a huge four game set against their division foes. In the final game of the first half, the Pirates looked to take the series on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. With the Pirates down 5-3 in the 10th inning, Cardinals All-Star closer Trevor Rosenthal took the mound looking to help the Cards salvage a series split. With the Pirates down to their final out, that vision went up in smoke. Following an RBI single from Starling Marte, which cut the deficit to 5-4 and a Jung Ho Kang single, Francisco Cervelli stepped to the plate with an opportunity to tie the ball game. Cervelli hit one down the right field line that scored the tying run and put the game winning run at third base. Gregory Polanco did the rest, lining a walkoff single into right field, giving Rosenthal only his second blown save of the season. Being at this particular game, I could experience first hand the excitement. This was one of 11 walkoff wins for the Pirates this season and it truly showcased the “never say die” attitude that has been associated with the Pirates all season long.
Not to be outdone, Cutch has his say for the #1 moment of the 2015 regular season
Next: Who else but Cutch
1.) 7-11-2015 – McCutchen hits walkoff home run against Cardinals
Number one on my list is considered my best moment of 2015 for a number of reasons. The Pirates came back on three separate occasions during the contest, tying the game at 3-3 in the 8th inning and knotting the score again at 4-4 in the 10th inning. Following an RBI single from Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta that put the Cardinals up 5-4 in the top of the 14th inning, the Pirates would answer back once again. With Neil Walker on first base following a leadoff single, Andrew McCutchen came to the plate and decided that the marathon 14 inning game needed to end. McCutchen blasted a walk off two-run home run into center field to give the Pirates a 6-5 victory and to extend an 18 game hitting streak. From controversy surrounding a called foul tip which later turned into a home run for the Cardinals to late inning heroics from Pedro Alvarez and McCutchen, this game had it all. It was fitting that the Pirates franchise player came up clutch in a huge situation and was able to help the team capture one of their most exciting victories of the 2015 regular season. It was a game that most Pirates fans will be sure to remember in years to come.
As the Pirates enter the National League Wild Card game for a third consecutive year, it’s easy to forget just how good this team has been this season. Their 98 wins are the most for this franchise since 1991 and they finished the regular season with the second best record in Major League Baseball while playing in the most competitive division in baseball. This season has been full of great moments for the 2015 Pirates and they will most certainly look to continue that trend this Wednesday night in the National League Wild Card game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.