The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Bae Ji-hwan Bae hit a two-run double to extend his hitting streak to three games after returning from injury. The team came from behind to win the game.
Bae started at first base against the Minnesota Twins on Aug. 20 at Target Field in Minnesota, USA, and went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks, one RBI and two runs scored. His season batting average increased slightly to .244 from .243.
On the day, Pittsburgh went with the following starting batting order: Bae (second base)-Reynold (left field)-McCutchen (designated hitter)-Hayes (third base)-Palacios (right field)-Cho (first base)-Swinski (center field)-Figueroa (shortstop)-Delay (catcher). Keller was on the mound for Pittsburgh.
After returning from an ankle injury the day before, Bae made a successful return from injury on April 19 against Minnesota, starting in leadoff center field and going 2-for-4 with a double and a walk.
Continuing his momentum, Bae was deployed in the leadoff spot in the top of the first inning against Gray, who struck out swinging on a three-pitch 85.2 mph sweeper. In his second at-bat in the top of the fourth inning, Bae hit a four-seam 85.3-mph sweeper from Gray, but was forced to retire on a grounder in front of the pitcher.
Bae’s first hit came in the sixth inning. With his team trailing 2-0 in the top of the sixth, Bae drew a straight ball from Gray with runners on first and third. McCutchen followed with an RBI double to tie the game.
With Bae advancing to second, Hayes followed with a single to left, scoring Bae from second. It was impressive to see him run so fast and slide into a bobsled-like position.
In the top of the seventh inning, with runners on first and second and nobody out, Bae hit a 85.4-mph changeup from Flores for an RBI double into the left field seats.
With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the ninth, Bae completed his three-hit performance by drawing a straightaway walk against reliever Barazovich and came home on McCutchen’s three-run homer in the next at-bat.온라인바카
Pittsburgh gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth, but reliever Bednar retired the side to preserve the win.
With the 7-4 win, Pittsburgh snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 55-68 on the season, maintaining fourth place in the National League Central.