After hitting seven home runs and securing a commanding 14-2 victory over the Mets in Game 1 of their weekend series, the Pirates aimed to extend their success with a few more wins before the All-Star break. However, they faced setbacks they couldn’t control, notably when Bailey Falter, starting for the Pirates, exited the game after just two innings due to injury. He left Dennis Santana to take over with the bases loaded in the third inning, who then allowed a three-run double after retiring two batters. Despite Oneil Cruz’s response with a two-run homer that landed in the Allegheny River, the Mets added two more runs, taking a 5-2 lead.
In the seventh inning, the Pirates loaded the bases, hoping to stage a comeback. Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a line drive that was stopped by a great play from Fransisco Lindor, resulting in two outs with the bases still loaded for pinch-hitter Jack Suwinski. Suwinski watched a ball on the first pitch but then faced a controversial call on the second pitch—a ball low and outside was unexpectedly ruled a strike, setting a frustrating precedent.
Despite Suwinski working the count to 3-1 and anticipating another off-target pitch, the umpire called another low pitch a strike, much to the dismay of Suwinski and manager Derek Shelton, who rushed out to argue and was promptly ejected. Forced into a full count, Suwinski swung and missed at the next pitch, leaving the bases loaded and the Pirates unable to score.
Why was the Jack Suwinski at-bat so crucial for the Pirates in the game vs. the Mets?
If the umpire called ball four on the 3-1 pitch, the Pirates would have scored a run, narrowing the game to 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning with Nick Gonzales at bat, who has been effective at driving in runs this season. This pivotal moment shattered the Pirates’ momentum, causing their offense to stagnate and ultimately led to their 5-2 loss.
While this game didn’t determine the Pirates’ postseason fate, it was crucial in potentially bolstering their position. With two games left in the series, winning could have been crucial for their ambitions, whether aiming for a strong position at the MLB Trade Deadline or gaining ground in the competitive Wild Card race. The blown call in the seventh inning deprived the Pirates of a chance to secure a much-needed victory against the Mets.
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