PITTSBURGH — From the first pitch of Johan Oviedo’s last start, it was clear the Pirates right-hander meant business. Debuting a sinker after tinkering with it throughout spring, it didn’t take Oviedo long to show that he was intent on displaying a different version of himself.
Wednesday brought a different kind of start for Oviedo, who took a half-dozen hitters to find a groove, the poor start contributing to the Pirates’ 3-2 loss against the Rangers at PNC Park, a defeat that meant yet another series loss.
The Pirates (25-24) have not won a series since late April in Washington.
After Luis Ortiz twirled a gem on Monday, the Pirates have ceded the past two games for a few different reasons, with this one attributable to the three runs Oviedo allowed in the first. The hole was simply too big for the Pirates and their struggling offense.
Second baseman Marcus Semien, whose active hitting streak now stands at an MLB-best 14 games, clobbered a 1-0 fastball located up-and-in from Oviedo, smashing it into the left-field seats for a solo homer.
It wasn’t a terrible pitch, per se. But judging by his reaction, it didn’t look like what Oviedo wanted to do, either. The homer was just the fifth Oviedo has allowed all season.
First baseman Nathaniel Lowe and right fielder Adolis Garcia followed with singles before third baseman Josh Jung pounced on a hanging curveball from Oviedo, launching it over a leaping Ke’Bryan Hayes at third to make it a 2-0 game.
Catcher Jonah Heim hit into a fielder’s choice, as Carlos Santana appeared to hesitate for a quick beat, enough to allow Garcia to slide in safely.
The Pirates scored a pair of runs in the second but weren’t able to get anything else off of Texas starter Martin Perez, who improved to 5-0 in his last eight starts by giving the Rangers seven innings of two-run ball.
With Perez finally out of the game, the Pirates made a push in eighth inning against right-handed reliever Jose Leclerc, loading the bases with one out. But Rodolfo Castro’s fly ball to left wasn’t deep enough, and Jack Suwinski struck out on a check swing.
ON THE MOUND
While the beginning of his start left something to be desired, Oviedo also made history by tossing an “immaculate inning” — nine strikes, three strikeouts — in the fourth to strike out Heim, left fielder Robbie Grossman and shortstop Josh Smith.
It represents the second immaculate inning in MLB this season, both by Pirates pitchers after Colin Holderman did it on May 4. The Pirates and Astros (June 2022) are the only two franchises to have a pair of immaculate innings in the same month.
It’s the fifth immaculate inning in Pirates history, as Oviedo joined Holderman, Juan Nicasio (July 4, 2016 at St. Louis), Ross Ohlendorf (Sept. 5, 2009 vs. St. Louis) and Jeff Robinson (Sept. 7, 1987 vs. Chicago Cubs). It was part of 13 in a row retired at one point for Oviedo.
In his last start, Oviedo was heavily reliant on his sinker, a pitch he used for the first time at this level. On Wednesday, however, Oviedo threw just six sinkers, according to Statcast. Oviedo only generated seven whiffs, but his fastball velocity was up 0.6 mph, averaging 96.8.
Oviedo worked 5 2/3 innings, allowed three earned runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
It’s been a rough stretch for Robert Stephenson, who has allowed multiple runs in each of his last two appearances. However, he stranded two in the sixth when he struck out Semien looking on a well-placed slider.
AT THE PLATE
The Pirates picked up their two runs with a rally in the second inning that started with a walk to Santana. Connor Joe and Castro followed with singles, and Suwinski got the Pirates on the board with his grounder to first.
Jason Delay cranked a sinker at the top of the zone into center field for a single. It upped Delay’s average with runners on base to .370 (10 for 27) and brought the Pirates to within one at 3-2.
Other than Delay, the only player with multiple hits was Castro, who cracked singles in the second and fourth innings. Perez leaned on his change-up (40%) and sinker (38%) a lot to get 12 ground-ball outs compared to just one in the air.
UP NEXT
The Pirates are off Thursday before starting a three-game series with the Mariners this weekend in Seattle. Mitch Keller gets the ball for Game 1. His 1.00 ERA this month is the third-lowest in MLB behind Michael Wacha (0.36) and Chris Bassitt (0.61).
