First-Place Pirates, Yohan Ramirez Showing Some Grit
These Pittsburgh Pirates embody grit, climbing to first place in the National League Central with clutch wins.
Given Don Kelly's Pittsburgh roots, it's no surprise he wants his Pirates to play that way. Gritty. Determined.
Blue collar. In short, just as you’d expect from a Western Pennsylvania team. The Pirates have indeed shown grit while getting off to a 9-5 start that has them in first place in the National League Central.
Pittsburgh finished last in the division last season with a 71-91 record. Their early-season tenacity shows in a 4-0 mark in one-run games, most recently a 4-3 win over the Cubs Saturday at Wrigley Field. With that win, the Pirates now try to sweep the series Sunday, sending rookie right-hander Bubba Chandler (0-1, 3.
12) against Jameson Taillon (0-1, 2. 53). Pittsburgh reliever Yohan Ramirez escaped bases-loaded jams in the 10th and 11th innings, helping secure the team’s eighth win in their last 10 games.