It wasn't the best opening weekend for the Pittsburgh Pirates, dropping two of three to a decent New York Mets team. The Mets played solid baseball, but the Pirates also hurt themselves with some self-inflicted errors. It was a rather unfortunate weekend, but it's only the first series of the year, so there's nothing to get too discouraged by just yet.
The Pirates had an opportunity to win on Saturday afternoon, but weren't able to get the job done in extra innings. Outfielder Luis Robert Jr hit a walk-off home run against Hunter Barco.
Facing Robert in a high-leverage spot, Barco threw what he believed was the right pitch, a slider down in the zone. After the game, he had nothing but credit to give to the Mets' new potential star.
“I’ve got to give credit to Robert there. It was a great swing,” Barco said. “It was an executed slider, down over the plate. He put a really good swing on it. Obviously, you don’t want it to happen. Tip your cap to him and get back after it.”
Losing is never a good thing, and losing in a walk-off fashion is just as bad, especially after losing the opener, but I do think there are some positives to take away from what the Pirates have been saying recently.
I hate to do moral victories, but every game can be viewed as a good one in some sense. The Pirates are starting to finally be accountable with themselves, and to take that next step forward, that's exactly what the players need to do.
Barco understands that if he wants to continue to pitch at this level and get outs when needed, he needs to do better prior to giving up those home runs.
“… I really don’t like the leadoff walk [to Polanco] there. If I don’t walk him, it’s a different situation. I end up on the other side of things. I keep going at it and keep executing pitches.”
It’s a lesson that many young pitchers learn the hard way, and something he'll have to flush down the drain, as the Pirates will need him to be a dude this season.