PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Thoughts at the time that Derek Shelton pulled Jared Jones after five innings on Wednesday to keep his pitch count low, but it turns out there is an injury concern with the Pirates rookie right-hander.
“He’s got a little right lat strain going on so we decided to get him out,” Shelton said. “Just an abundance of caution right there.”
“Kind of felt it later in the game,” Jones said postgame. “Kind of just got really tight on me in the fifth inning there. Told them and here we are.”
Jones said ‘it would have been really stupid’ to stay in the game, but noted he could have remained if needed. Asked if there is concern going forward.
“No, I feel great,” Jones said. “Well, obviously not great, but it’s nothing to be concerned with, I don’t think.”
Jones said it was a meeting with catcher Joey Bart that really turned the start around. He said Bart came out after the second walk of the first inning and it helped knock some rust off as he was skipped in his last start to save innings to keep him pitching the entire season.
“Bart just told me to get my stuff together and that’s exactly what happened,” Jones said. “Said some really good words and pulled me back into the game. It was smooth sailing from there.”
Jones said he trusts all his catchers but Bart has been really good to him behind the plate. He said he gets pumped every time Bart is catching him.
The rookie struck out five and didn’t walk a batter after the first going five innings, allowing four hits and a run.
He hadn’t pitched since June 22 against Tampa Bay and had given up eight runs in his last 11.2 innings.
“I think we’re seeing him grow up before our eyes, in terms of the situations that he has to handle,” Shelton said. “It’s really important. Again, as we talked about yesterday, having a guy like Keller that’s been through a lot of this stuff, someone he’s able to lean on and have conversations (with), I think is really important. I think we’re seeing him grow up right before us.”
Cruz avoided collision
Shortstop Oneil Cruz was able to make a behind-the-back catch to save a run in the first inning of which he called an important play in the game, as much so as his walk-off single in the 10 th in the 5-4 win over St. Louis.
“Unbelievable play going back over his head,” Shelton said. “Really nice play. We played well in all facets of the game.”
“He’s a pretty good player,” Jones said. “Makes a lot of really good plays and does a lot of special things on the field. I’m really happy to have him behind me.”
The 6’7”, 215-pound Cruz said he was a little concerned about the play. Not really his ability to make it, but the centerfielder running in at full speed.
“Actually, being honest with you, I was a little bit afraid just to run into (Jack) Suwinski just because he's a big, strong man,” Cruz said through interpreter Stephen Morales. “But we completed the play and that's the most important thing.”
Imagine the 6’2”, 215-pound Suwinski had similar thoughts.
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