Pirates Manager Don Kelly Explains Pinch-Hit Decision; Lowe: ‘I Thought It Was the Right Move’
Photo provided by Matt Lynch PITTSBURGH — Not many hitters in baseball are performing as well as Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe currently is. In the two games leading up to Tuesday night’s game against the Washington Nationals, Lowe combined for three home runs and 10 RBI. He became the first Pirate to have five RBI in back-to-back games since the stat was first became official in 1920.
On Tuesday night, Lowe picked up right where he left off. In his first at-bat of the game, Lowe belted a solo home run off left-hander PJ Poulin, who was announced late as an opener for veteran right-hander Miles Mikolas. Despite a big swing early, Lowe’s night ended prematurely after manager Don Kelly opted to pinch hit Nick Yorke in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and one out with left-hander Mitchell Parker on the mound and fellow lefty Cionel Pérez warming in the bullpen.
The Pirates were trailing by only one run when the decision was made. The decision didn’t pay off. Yorke worked himself into a favorable 3-1 count against Pérez but smashed a 101.
7 mph grounder right at second baseman Nasim Nuñez, who turned an inning-ending double play. Kelly explained his reasoning following the Pirates’ 5-4 loss on Tuesday night. “It was strategic, liked Yorke right there as far as contact ability,” he said.
Despite a home run against Poulin in the first inning, Lowe has struggled against left-handers this season. Entering play, he had only one hit in 19 hits against southpaws and struck out against Parker in his second at-bat against a Nationals left-hander on Tuesday. But at the same time, Lowe has been one of the best players for the Pirates so far this season.