The Pittsburgh Pirates have been a pleasant surprise to start the 2023 season.
While it’s not expected to last, the team pulled off an epic walk-off win on Tuesday night against the defending World Series champion Houston Astros.
With the game tied at four runs apiece and one out in the bottom of the ninth, Ji Hwan Bae came to the plate for the Pirates.
On a 2-2 pitch from Astros closer Ryan Pressly, Bae sent one into the right field bleachers to win the game for the Pirates, improving their record to 7-4 and keeping them just a game back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.
On Twitter, MLB posted a video of Bae’s clutch home run.
Ji Hwan Bae raises the Jolly Roger with a #WALKOFF homer! pic.twitter.com/zFQsNDj0hF
— MLB (@MLB) April 12, 2023
The Pirates were dealt a tough blow earlier in the week when it was learned that star shortstop Oneil Cruz would be out for the next four months recovering from a fractured ankle.
However, they don’t seem to be fazed in any way, shape, or form.
Instead, they continue to win games and surprise people.
And against the Astros, wins are hard to come by.
Fortunately, the Pirates got it done on Tuesday and will now look for a series win against the defending World Series champions on Wednesday.
With the win, the Pirates managed to “raise the Jolly Roger” for the seventh time this season.
So far, the Bucs have appeared to respond quite well to adversity, with this win coming just a few days after Cruz went down with his ankle injury.
Veteran left-hander Rich Hill will take the mound on Wednesday.
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