3 Takeaways From Pittsburgh Pirates Two-Game Series In Detroit

Jung Ho Kang is getting back on track

Third baseman Jung Ho Kang entered this series on an 0 for 18 stretch. This included Hurdle ‘unplugging’ him and giving him three consecutive days off. So far, it appears this move is paying off.

In Tuesday night’s victory, Kang was 2-for-4 with a hard hit single to left field and a two-run home run. This was the start of Kang stinging the ball in Detroit.

While Kang went 0-for-4 in the second game of the series, an argument can be made he hit the ball even better. In his first three at bats Kang was robbed on a base hit because he lined the ball that was ticketed for center field off of Detroit starter Spencer Turnbull that ricocheted right to second baseman Josh Harrison. His second at bat saw him reach on a run-scoring error on a ball that was smoked at shortstop and easily could have been ruled a base hit. In his third at bat, Kang was robbed of extra bases due to the Tigers playing no doubles and hugging the third base line.

These three balls had an exit velocity of 106 MPH, 106 MPH, and 101 MPH. That’s good, folks.

Kang’s first at bat of the night on Tuesday may have been the best sign of all. He timed up a slider down and away and line it up the middle. If he was not pulling out of his slump, this would not have happened.

Getting Kang going would be a huge boost to the Pirate lineup. This week’s series in Detroit points toward Kang getting back on track offensively.