Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect Bubba Chandler took the mound on Tuesday night for his third career major league appearance. After facing the Colorado Rockies and the St. Louis Cardinals, it’s safe to say the Los Angeles Dodgers were his toughest task yet.
Chandler was up to the challenge, though. He pitched four innings in relief, allowing three runs on six hits and three strikeouts. He also earned his second career win as the Pirates won, 9-7.
It wasn’t smooth sailing the entire outing for Chandler. He entered the game in the third inning and quickly retired Miguel Rojas, sending Shohei Ohtani to the plate. After falling behind 3-1, Chandler threw a 99 mph fastball over the inside corner, but Ohtani was ready for it. The reigning MVP turned on the pitch, sending it 120 mph into the right field seats. As he rounded the bases, Chandler was visibly impressed by the exit velocity.
“You don’t want to give up runs, but you know you’re gonna give them up, Chandler said. “I was kind of wowed by it. I looked up at the board to see how hard it was hit. … Like dang, it’s crazy to hit a ball that hard, but you know, he’s a great player, one of the best players to ever play.”
The Dodgers grabbed another run in the third inning, and led off the fourth inning with a home run. After that, Chandler settled in and didn’t allow a run for the rest of his outing.
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It wasn’t the sharpest outing for the Pirates’ bulk guy. He didn’t locate his secondaries consistently, and the Dodgers appeared prepared for his fastball. Still, to throw four innings against a star-studded lineup and only allow three runs without your best is stuff is a sign of good things to come.
The Pirates have two more games with the Dodgers on Wednesday and Thursday.
More MLB: Pirates Shockingly Outplaying Star-Studded Dodgers During Pivotal Stretch
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Featured image via © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images