START OF NEW ERA FOR PIRATES?
Newly promoted Oneil Cruz drove in four runs and Bligh Madris got three hits in his major league debut, sparking the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 12-1 romp over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night at home.
Pirates 12, Cubs 1
Both rookies were called up from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the day and they delivered right away.
Cruz, considered Pittsburgh’s top prospect, hit a three-run double to deep center field that capped a four-run third inning to push the Pirates’ lead to 7-0. He was playing in the third big-league game of his career.
The 6-foot-7 Cruz also hit an RBI single in a five-run seventh as the Pirates set a season high for runs. He started the final two games of last season when he became the tallest shortstop in major league history.
Cruz’s double had an exit velocity of 112.9 mph, his throw to first base on a groundout was clocked at 96.7 mph and his sprint speed registered as high as 31.5 feet/second while running the bases. All are among the highest marks by a Pirates player since the MLB Statcast era began in 2015.
“He can affect the game in a lot of ways, and we saw it tonight,” Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said.
Madris hit a two-run single in the second inning in his first at-bat in the majors. The outfielder keyed a three-run inning that included the first of Hoy Park’s two sacrifice flies.
Madris became the first Pirates player to have a three-hit game in his debut since Jason Kendall in 1996.
“That was a lot of fun and everything I could ask for,” Madris said with a big smile. “With (batting practice) getting canceled today, when I
stepped in the box, it was really my first at-bat in the big leagues. The game threw a little bit of everything at me today. Thankful for the opportunity. It was awesome.”
JT Brubaker (1-7) pitched six scoreless innings for his first win since last Aug. 24, a span of 14 starts.
Brubaker scattered five hits while striking out five and walking three. He has a 2.65 ERA in his last six starts.
“I go out there to compete and to put the team in the best (position) to win the game,” Brubaker said. “Whether I get one under the W column or not, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want team Ws.”
Notable
Tampa Bay outfielders Manuel Margot and Kevin Kiermaier left Monday night’s loss to the Yankees with injuries and are likely headed to the injured list. Margot sprained his right knee in the ninth inning, crashing into the right-field wall while chasing an RBI triple by Aaron Hicks. Margot
was taken off the field on a cart. Rays manager Kevin Cash says he expects Margot to miss “significant time.” Kiermaier departed after striking out in the second inning. His injury was described as left hip inflammation.
• The White Sox activated Tim Anderson from the 10-day injured list after the dynamic shortstop was sidelined by a strained right groin. The reigning AL Central champions went 8-10 while Anderson was sidelined. To make room on the active roster, third baseman Yoan Moncada was placed on the 10-day IL with a strained right hamstring.
• All-Star Mets sparkplug Jeff McNeil left a game against the Marlins on Monday with tightness in his right hamstring and was sent for an MRI. McNeil walked off uneasily after scoring on a wild pitch in the fourth inning and went straight to the clubhouse. Luis Guillorme replaced him at second base the next inning. J.D. Davis was sent for X-rays on his left pinkie finger after being hit by a
pitch in the eighth inning, and those initially came back negative, manager Buck Showalter said.
• Relievers Sergio Romo and and Roenis Elias were cut by the struggling Mariners to make room for reliever Ken Giles and infielder Kevin Padlo. Romo and Elias were designated for assignment, Giles was activated from the 60-day injured list and Padlo was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma.
• Cardinals OF Tyler O’Neill went on the injured list after straining his left hamstring while running the bases on a ninth-inning double Sunday in a loss at Boston. “Something kind of grabbed on me a little bit rounding first base,” O’Neill said. The Cardinals recalled OF Lars Nootbaar from Triple-A Memphis.
• Brewers LHP Aaron Ashby went on the injured list retroactive to Friday with left forearm inflammation. Ashby had been scheduled to start today’s game. Ashby said before Monday’s game that he was struggling to throw his slider during his bullpen session Sunday.