Pirates Rookie Hunter Barco Has Highs, Lows in Season Debut

Hunter Barco had only experienced the positives of the major leagues until Saturday. The Pittsburgh Pirates' rookie left-hander debuted during the final week of last season. He pitched three scoreless innings in two relief appearances against the Cincinnati Reds.

Barco made his season debut on Saturday, and things weren't so easy as the Pirates lost to the New York Mets 4-2 in 11 innings at Citi Field in New York. Barco entered the game to start the bottom of the 10th inning with Pittsburgh leading 1-0. Though the Mets tied the game on Luis Torrens' single.

Barco did an outstanding job of keeping the score at 1-1. The Mets had the bases loaded with none out, but Barco retired the top three hitters in the lineup. He got Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto to hit into force outs at home plate and Bo Bichette to fly out.

The Pirates went back ahead 2-1 in the top of the 11th on Bryan Reynolds' infield single. Barco, though, couldn't hold the lead as he walked Jorge Polanco, then gave up a game-winning three-run home run to Luis Robert Jr. The loss dropped Pittsburgh to 0-2.