Pittsburgh Pirates slumping designated hitter Marcell Ozuna hit an infield single. Can this unexpected spark reignite his power and silence the boos?
PITTSBURGH -- Marcell Ozuna searched for any sign of hope to end his early-season slump. The Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter may have found it—a simple dribbler in front of home plate.
Ozuna’s mishit was just his second hit in 27 at-bats, helping the Pirates rally for a 3-2 victory over the Orioles on Saturday at PNC Park.
Ozuna’s hit led off the eighth inning, leading to pinch-hitter Jake Mangum tying the score at 2-all with an RBI infield single. Nick Yorke walked it off with a double in the ninth.
Pittsburgh signed Ozuna to a one-year, $12-million contract just before the start of spring training with the idea that he would provide power to an offense that was last in the major leagues in home runs and runs scored last year. Instead, he is hitting .074 with no extra-base hits.
“You know how it is in baseball,” Ozuna said. “It’s hard, so you just have to go out there and have fun. It’s been tough right now. I’m trying not to do more than I can do, so I don’t overdo it. After getting that hit in the last at-bat, I think everything is going right now.”
A dink hit has sparked Ozuna before. In 2023, after starting 4-for-63 with the Atlanta Braves, he hit a single off Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara that barely snuck through the infield.
“After that, I was a different man,” Ozuna said.
Ozuna went on to hit .274/.346/.558 with 40 home runs and 100 RBIs.
Through the first two home games, Ozuna has been booed by fans. In his 14th season, he understands their frustration.
“It’s not my first time being in that moment,” Ozuna said. “I deserve to be booed. I don’t mind. I’m going to keep grinding and do my best. As soon as I get the knocks, everything is going well now. I have the confidence, my teammates trust me, and most of the fans trust me. They booed me because they needed to see my show. So, I have to give my show. This is the time, right now.”
Pirates manager Don Kelly, a former Marlins teammate of Ozuna’s, was impressed Ozuna went to the batting cage after Friday’s win—the first time Ozuna has taken postgame batting practice.
“He’s in-between right now, it looks like,” Kelly said. “We need to get him rolling. You have a guy who cares so much and wants to get on track. He’s a veteran. He knows what he needs to do. Have full confidence that he’s going to get rolling here soon.”
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