North Shore Nine

Pirates fans have watched more than their fair share of costly errors and game-losing mistakes in the past 30 years, but Sunday’s game proved to be a reversal of fortunes: instead of committing the mistake, the Pirates used it to their advantage.

A throwing error from Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson turned a 2-1 loss into a 3-2 victory for the Pirates at PNC Park. Thanks to clutch ninth-inning hits and savvy baserunning from Rowdy Tellez, the Pirates improved to 8-2 in the NL Central.

For most of the game, the Pirates’ bats were silent. Dean Kremer scattered five hits over seven innings, allowing only one run on a Henry Davis sacrifice fly. Only two Pirates players, Edward Olivares and Ke’Bryan Hayes, finished the game with multiple hits.

The Orioles scored their runs in the top of the fourth inning. Adley Rutschman led off with a single, and Ryan Moundcastle knocked him in with a double to the warning track in left field. Anthony Santander followed with a line drive single, scoring Moundcastle.

The Pirates rallied to life in the bottom of the ninth. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde put in Yennier Cano, but he surrendered back-to-back singles to Ke’Bryan Hayes and Jack Suwinski. Connor Joe walked to load the bases with no outs.

With the bases full of Bucs, Rowdy Tellez hit into a fielders choice, with Hayes being thrown out at home. Edward Olivares followed with a sharp grounder to second base, and Henderson made an excellent diving stop to record the out at second. Rowdy Tellez opted not to slide, preventing Henderson from getting a clear throwing lane to 1B, and Henderson threw the ball past the first baseman. What could have been a heartbreaking defeat turned into a win against one of the most promising young teams in baseball.

The Pirates return to action on Monday night, starting a quick two-game series with the upstart Detroit Tigers.