José Quintana, Home Runs Carry Pittsburgh Pirates to DH Split

After dropping the first game of their doubleheader in Detroit on Wednesday the Pittsburgh Pirates picked up a 7-2 victory in game two

Wednesday saw the Pittsburgh Pirates play their first doubleheader of the 2022 season. It was also their first of two doubleheaders in a four day stretch.

After dropping the first game of the day on Wednesday, the Pirates bounced back for a 7-2 victory in the evening cap. With the victory the Pirates improved to 10-14 on the season. The team will now enjoy a day off on Thursday before beginning a four-game series against the worst team in baseball.

Another strong start from José Quintana

Through the first few weeks of the season veteran lefty José Quintana has been the best starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Starting game two of Wednesday’s doubleheader, Quintana turned in another strong strong.

Quintana went 5 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, a walk and 3 strikeouts. Quintana threw 58% of his pitches for strikes while generating 6 swings-and-misses, which was the second most of any pitcher in the game.

Quintana has now made 5 starts for the Pirates, pitching 24.0 innings. The veteran lefty has been very good pitching to the tune of a 3.38 ERA, 3.62 FIP, a 9.0% walk rate, 20.0% strikeout rate and he has allowed just 2 home runs (0.75 HR/9). If Quintana continues to pitch this way he will be a strong trade chip for the Pirates in July.

Ben Gamel finishes off a big day, Bryan Reynolds starts to find his swing

Wednesday was a big day at the plate for Ben Gamel. After hitting a 2-run triple in the first game of the day to go with another base hit, Gamel had a huge game for the Pirate offense in their game two victory.

While he was stranded at second base Gamel led the game off with a double. After collecting his 4th double of the season Gamel went on to collect two more hits, while also working a walk and driving in a run. On the day Gamel was 5-for-8 with a triple, a double, a walk and 3 RBI.

So far this season superstar center fielder Bryan Reynolds has struggled. Earlier this week Jeff took a look at some of what could be plaguing Reynolds. In game two on Wednesday Reynolds stroked his first two doubles of the season while also scoring a run. Is this the start of Reynolds finding his swing? Let’s hope so.

Pirate offense benefits from the long ball

With the Pittsburgh Pirates lead 1-0 in the top of the 4th inning catcher Roberto Pérez gave the team more breathing room. Pérez launched a solo home run, his 2nd home run of the season, to make the score 2-0 Pirates.

Daniel Vogelbach then got into the home run fun in the 9th inning. Vogelbach hit a 2-run home run to give the Pirates some breathing room to help them coast to victory. This was Vogelbach’s 4th home run of the season. Vogey also hit his 4th double of the season as part of a 3 RBI game.

Bullpen slams the door

Zach Thompson made his first appearance with the Pirates as a reliever when he took the mound in the 6th inning. While he allowed a hit and issued a walk, Thompson also struck a batter out on his way to pitching a scoreless 6th inning.

Chris Stratton then followed Thompson, striking out a pair in a scoreless 7th inning of work. After Stratton it was time for the Renegade. David Bednar pitched both the 8th and 9th inning for the Pirates. While he had to work around a runner on third base with just 1 out situation in the 9th inning, Bednar pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief. This included 3 strikeouts.

For much of the season the Pirate bullpen has been a strength. Especially when you takeaway Aaron Fletcher, Sam Howard, and Miguel Yajure, who had surrendered  22% of the runs allowed by the Pirate pitching staff this season, all of whom were optioned to Triple-A earlier this week. The Pirate bullpen was once again a strength on Wednesday.

After a day off on Thursday the Pittsburgh Pirates return to action on Friday night at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. JT Brubaker (6.20 ERA, 4.70 FIP) is scheduled to start for the Pirates while the lowly Reds will send former Pirate Connor Overton (1.69 ERA, 3.07 FIP) to the mound. First pitch from Cincinnati is scheduled for 6:40 PM ET.