The Latest Breaking News from Ji Hwan Bae

PITTSBURGH — The Pirates probably could have used a furry or two, although they surely would’ve settled for a clutch hit. However it happened, some semblance of a late-game charge.

MILWAUKEE — Whenever the Pirates inevitably review what went right or wrong during Friday’s series opener in Milwaukee, here’s guessing starter Rich Hill won’t need more than a millisecond to figure out the problem.

PITTSBURGH — The Pirates should absolutely feel encouraged by what they did against the Houston Astros on Tuesday night, erasing an early deficit before using Ji Hwan Bae’s walk-off home run to atone for a late lead they had let slip away.

PITTSBURGH — Who said the Pirates lost a leadoff hitter who’s blazing fast and can also hit homers?

The dream of a 30-30 or 40-40 season for Oneil Cruz isn't likely to become reality, unless he rejoins the Pirates later this season and goes on some sort of Mario Lemieux-level tear.

Oneil Cruz had surgery on his fractured left ankle at Allegheny General Hospital late Sunday night, the Pirates announced on Monday afternoon. They also projected the 24-year-old shortstop's timeline to return at four months, meaning Cruz won't return until after the All-Star break and well into August.

PITTSBURGH — Call it potential contract leverage, symmetry or just plain dominance. Doesn't matter. Bryan Reynolds is in some kind of zone right now, and the White Sox — in a Pirates home opener that was supposed to be about Andrew McCutchen — paid the price.

BOSTON — Should this incredible run continue, Bryan Reynolds may opt out of the flight home.

CINCINNATI — If the Pirates are going to achieve their big-picture goal this season — essentially to play a better brand of baseball and start winning games — the recipe they deployed on opening day in Cincinnati is a keeper.