Pirates Series Takeaways: Cruz Shows Why, Finding Ways to Win But Walks Still Kill Ya
Photo provided by Eddie Provident Well, it was an ugly end to the series but an overall successful quick-getaway series for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field over the weekend. The Pirates relied on solid pitching and a Bryan Reynolds two-run home run to win the first game of the series. They somehow came up on top on Saturday afternoon in a wild game that was settled in the 11th inning.
On Sunday, they built an early 5-0 but saw the Cubs keep chipping away until Chicago came all the way back to win it in the bottom of the ninth. Again, the Pirates will happily take a series win but will fly back to Pittsburgh with a bit of a bad taste in their mouths before resetting for the start of a seven-game homestand on Monday. Cruz Control What a series it was for Oneil Cruz.
The Pirates center fielder went 6 for 11 with a home run, a double, three walks, two runs and five steals. In Saturday’s game, he became the first Pirate with four hits and three steals in a game since Matt Lawton on July 26, 2005. On Sunday, he belted his fifth-career leadoff home run.
Cruz’s home run extended his hitting streak to 11 games, which in addition to tying his career-best, is also the longest active streak in MLB. Additionally, Cruz played some good center field. He has the tools to be a good defensive outfielder but even if he continues to lack on that side of the game, it will be much easier for the Pirates to swallow if he continues to perform at a high level at the plate and on the bases.
It’s early. And Cruz got off to a hot start last year only to fizz out. But there are more reasons to believe this start is more sustainable (not quite at this level obviously) and could be the early signs of a potential breakout season.