Pirates fans owe Billy Cook an apology after monster performance in Cleveland

When the Pittsburgh Pirates announced their starting lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Cleveland Guardians, the reaction from fans was almost immediate. And it wasn't positive.

With Paul Skenes on the mound in an important game, Pirates fans understandably wanted to see Pittsburgh give its ace as much offensive support as possible. Instead, Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe were both out of the lineup, joining injured regulars Konnor Griffin, Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz on the sidelines.

That left a lineup featuring Jared Triolo batting second and Billy Cook starting in center field and hitting ninth. Fans were not impressed.

“Hilarious joke! What’s the real lineup?”

“Billy Cook starting again when all these games will determine if you make playoffs again because why not."

“No serious organization puts Billy Cook in any lineup ever.”

Those were among the kinder reactions. But a few hours later, those same fans probably owed Cook an apology.

The Pirates’ utility man responded to all the criticism by turning in arguably the best performance of his major-league career, going 3-for-4 with a triple, three RBIs and an outfield assist while helping Pittsburgh cruise to a 7-1 victory over Cleveland.

Billy Cook responded to criticism from Pirates fans with game of his life in support of Paul Skenes

For a player whose presence in the starting lineup had been treated as evidence that the Pirates were not taking the game seriously enough, Cook ended up being one of the biggest reasons they won it. And he made his impact everywhere.

Cleveland threatened in the bottom of the fourth inning, putting runners on the corners with nobody out while Pittsburgh held a narrow lead. Kyle Manzardo lifted a fly ball to center, and Cook made the catch before firing a strong throw home to cut down Chase DeLauter for a double play. Instead of the Guardians potentially tying the game, Cook erased a runner and helped Skenes escape the inning without any damage.

Then Cook went to work offensively. He led off the fifth inning with a triple off the right-field wall and scored when catcher Patrick Bailey's pickoff attempt got away, helping spark the Pirates as they took a 2-1 lead. He later ripped a single into center field to bring home another run, continuing a performance that nobody could have predicted based on the reaction to his name appearing in the lineup a few hours earlier.

Meanwhile, Skenes did exactly what the Pirates needed him to do, allowing just one run over seven innings while striking out eight. It was his longest outing since May 12, and Pittsburgh finally gave him plenty of support. Some of that support came from the last player Pirates fans expected.

Cook has spent this season doing whatever the Pirates have asked of him, filling different roles and playing wherever he's needed. On Sunday, he was asked to start in center field behind Skenes in an important series finale.

Fans' frustration was understandable. The Pirates are trying to stay in the playoff race, and with several important hitters already unavailable because of injuries, sitting Reynolds and Lowe at the same time was always going to raise eyebrows.

But Sunday afternoon, Cook provided an important reminder of why games aren't won or lost when the lineup card is posted on social media.

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