Bench players Nick Yorke and Jake Mangum delivered crucial late-game heroics, propelling the Pittsburgh Pirates to a dramatic comeback victory.
The Pittsburgh Pirates spent the winter upgrading their offense.
They acquired second baseman Brandon Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays and signed right fielder Ryan O’Hearn and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna as free agents. These moves have strengthened the Pirates’ bench early this season.
Nick Yorke and Jake Mangum may not be everyday players, but they could have been in recent seasons when Pittsburgh had a less-talented roster. Still, manager Don Kelly trusts them in important moments. On Saturday, both players proved worthy of his trust.
Mangum tied the game in the eighth with a two-out, pinch-hit infield single. Then, in the ninth, Yorke’s walk-off double sailed over left fielder Dylan Beavers’ head and rallied the Pirates to a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park.
This win allowed Pittsburgh (5-3) to extend its winning streak to four games, putting them in position to potentially sweep the three-game series on Sunday when Braxton Ashcraft (0-1, 3.00 ERA) faces Chris Bassitt (0-1, 8.31).
“Those at-bats are tough late in the game, especially when you’re facing back-end (relievers), and you’re down,” Kelly said. “The way they were able to compete in those moments, I thought Yorke, especially against (closer Ryan) Helsey, took some really good pitches and found a way to foul off 100 (mph), which is really difficult to do, then caught one out front and drove it. It was great.”
Yorke and Mangun want to play regularly but understand their roles as part-time players.
Kelly also noted the payoff of players embracing their roles. “Just the way that they’re buying into the team concept of winning and finding a way to win, it’s been really cool to see,” Kelly said. “That’s what we’re going to have to do as we go through the season.”
With the score tied 2-2, Bryan Reynolds doubled to lead off the ninth for Pittsburgh. Ryan O’Hearn was intentionally walked, setting the stage for Yorke, who entered as a pinch runner for Ozuna. Ozuna, the struggling designated hitter, had started the rally with a flared single.
Despite the Orioles walking O'Hearn ahead of him, Yorke did not take it as a sign of disrespect.
"O'Hearn's a great hitter,” Yorke said. “No harm, no foul, but happy I was able to come through and help the boys with the win. Just a lot of fun. The crowd was electric. Just happy I could come through for the boys.”
As a bench player, Yorke, despite being a rookie, understands he needs to stay locked in the game in case he is called upon. He was needed on Saturday and delivered after watching most of the game from the dugout.
"I'm usually on the top step, trying to watch, pick up on (pitchers’) tendencies, whatever it may be,” Yorke said. Just try to give myself the best chance when I do get in there."
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