Cruz’s Power Display
Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit a notable home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers, launching a ball 462 feet in the eighth inning of their 11-7 defeat. This impressive hit left his bat at a velocity of 117.7 mph.
Reflecting on his performance, Cruz commented, “It felt good. I’ve been trying to hit the ball hard and managed to connect well this time.” Despite recent struggles, with a batting average of .151 over his last 13 games, Cruz’s frustration fueled his powerful swing.
Strike Zone Controversy
The Pirates faced challenges with the strike zone managed by home plate umpire Dan Merzel. While Merzel’s calls affected both teams, the Pirates felt particularly aggrieved. Cruz noted the team’s frustration, “The whole team was kind of mad because of the strike zone. We were struggling to get calls, but it’s just a reaction to try and get something going for the team.”
Cruz’s home run against his former team, the Dodgers, was a significant moment. Wearing mismatched cleats representing both teams, he expressed gratitude to the Dodgers for starting his professional career.
Falter’s Tough Outing
Bailey Falter, a key pitcher for the Pirates, had an uncharacteristically rough start against the Dodgers. The game began with the Dodgers scoring three runs off a home run by Freddie Freeman. Despite this early setback, Falter managed to stabilize his performance, holding the Dodgers scoreless for the next three innings.
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Acknowledging the strength of the Dodgers’ lineup, Falter said, “It’s a great lineup. I just need to be a little bit better.” Despite allowing a home run to Teoscar Hernández in the fifth inning, Falter showed resilience by preventing further damage.
Controversial Call
A controversial call occurred in the top of the first inning involving Shohei Ohtani. Initially ruled as a catch by Pirates’ right fielder Edward Olivares, the play was overturned upon review, showing the ball was caught on a short-hop. As a result, Mookie Betts was awarded second base, leading to confusion and frustration among the Pirates.
Manager Derek Shelton clarified, “The explanation is once it goes to replay, it’s their call. My question was about Mookie’s movement before the call was made, but replay didn’t adjust the runners accordingly.”
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