The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Colorado Rockies 7-2 last night at PNC Park to open a three-game series. Jameson Taillon made his return to the major league’s five weeks after having cancer surgery. He scattered five hits and did not allow a run over five innings. The Pirates had 11 hits in the game, including two hit games from Josh Harrison, David Freese and Jose Osuna. Harrison hit his eighth home run of the season. The victory was the Pirates third in a row, the first time since April they have won three games in a row. Their record is now 29-35 overall, and they are four games behind first-place Milwaukee in the National League Central Division.
The Bucs and Rockies play again tonight at 7:05pm. Gerrit Cole will start for the Pirates. Pre-game on WISR 680am begins at 6:40pm.
The Pirates selected right-handed pitcher Shane Baz (pronounced boz) with the 12th overall selection in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft.
Baz attended Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball, TX, where he was named a first-team all-district in 2017 while going 6-2 with a 0.93 ERA and 96 strikeouts. He was tabbed by Baseball America as having the second-best fastball among high school pitchers in this year’s Draft along with being the 11th-best prospect available overall. Baz will turn 18 Saturday, and has committed to Texas Christian University. The Pirates could potentially woo him to turn professional with a several million dollar contract.
Blackhawk high school graduate Brendan McKay was taken fourth overall in the draft Monday by the Tampa Bay Rays. He becomes the highest drafted player ever from the WPIAL. Knoch high school graduate Scot Thompson had been the previous high pick when he was selected seventh overall in 1974. McKay is a pitcher and first baseman for the Louisville Cardinals who are competing in the NCAA baseball World Series. McKay will play first base professionally. A California shortstop was selected first overall Monday by the Minnesota Twins.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will be honored for earning their second consecutive Stanley Cup with a parade in downtown Pittsburgh tomorrow beginning at 11am.
The Butler BlueSox visit the West Virginia Miners tonight in Prospect League-play. Game time is 6:35pm.
