In the event you missed the Pirates matchup in St. Louis to end their weekend set on Sunday, you missed a little bit of history. Often, its bad history when you talk about the Pirates this Season, but this was a breath of fresh air.
Scranton Native Max Kranick took the bump in his Major League Debut and was perfect. Yes, perfect for Five Innings. 15 Up and 15 Down, highlighted by an amazing play from Third Baseman Kebryan Hayes, the 11th Round Pick in the 2016 Draft.
Kranick fired just 50 pitches. 36 for Strikes, 3 Strikeouts. So he was insanely efficient and was on pace to take a run at a Perfect Game before the rains came, delaying the game 64 minutes and effectively ending Kranick’s run at perfection. Kranick became the first Pitcher since 1893 to leave after at least Five Innings with a Perfect Game intact in his MLB Debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He did so in front of 18 Friends and Family members in St Louis.
The Pirates just announced not long ago that Kranick was optioned back to Triple A Indy. Interesting decision given how spectacular he was on Sunday, but they are going with a six man rotation and have called back up Cody Ponce.
The Buccos took on the Rockies on Monday night, opening a Series in Colorado. The Pirates fell 2-0 in that game.
