Konnor Griffin Has Debut to Remember for Pirates
Teen phenom Konnor Griffin delivered a clutch performance, doubling and driving in a run to help the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 in a home opener victory on Friday.
PITTSBURGH – Konnor Griffin admitted that he couldn’t have scripted his ballyhooed major-league debut any better. The 19-year-old shortstop went 1 for 3, doubling in his first plate appearance, with an RBI and a walk, on Friday to help the Pittsburgh Pirates edge the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 in their home opener at PNC Park. Griffin was still in pinch-me mode over half an hour after the game.
"A special day made even better by the win," Griffin said. "It was everything I dreamed of. " Griffin received a rousing ovation from the sellout crowd during pregame ceremonies.
The fans grew even louder when he lined a two-out double into the left-center gap to drive in the game’s first run in a four-run second inning. He then hustled home on Jared Triolo’s single. Griffin fell behind in the count 0-2 when he swung through two curveballs from Kyle Bradish, but still came through.
Before the crowd erupted after the double, the fans were quiet when Griffin stepped into the batter’s box. "I was up there trying to compete,” Griffin said. “I feel like that's the goal, to kind of make it sound like that every time you get in the box, just focus on the pitcher and go compete.