Wilber Dotel had to wake up at 2 a.m. for a flight to Pittsburgh to arrive at PNC Park before today’s game after earning his first promotion to the major leagues. By the end of his first game, he'd make his MLB debut and pitch in the ninth inning.
Dotel had his “welcome to the big leagues” moment by facing the Rays' Junior Caminero. He experienced a learning moment in the process, leaving a big out over the plate for a home run to cut the Pirates' lead to 6-3.
"Yeah, it was 1-1. The pitch but not the right location," said Dotel. "I kept my composure and went after it again and the results were there."
Dotel didn't seem to be fazed by the result in the next at-bat by striking out Jonathan Aranda on three straight fastballs, the last touching 98.6 mph. Dotel would make a nice snag on a 100 mph rocket by Yandy Diaz and finished the outing by getting Cedric Mullins to fly out to Oneil Cruz.
"Oh man, that was impressive,” said Don Kelly. "Especially for a guy making his debut in the ninth inning with a lead and he gave up a homer and then come back with triple digits and stay in the zone. That was phenomenal."
During spring training, Joey Bart caught Dotel during bullpen sessions and had good things to say after today's debut: “I love it. I loved catching him in the spring. He attacks the zone. He’s got a lot of confidence from what I can tell. Small sample size, but I saw 100 mph flashing on the scoreboard, and it’s just ridiculous. We’re just spawning guys throwing 100 mph these days. I’m really excited for him. I think he’s a really, really good person on top of what he has. That’s really key and I’m really excited to see him get comfortable up here.”
THE ASYLUM
Dotel flashes talent in ninth
Wilber Dotel had to wake up at 2 a.m. for a flight to Pittsburgh to arrive at PNC Park before today’s game after earning his first promotion to the major leagues. By the end of his first game, he'd make his MLB debut and pitch in the ninth inning.
Dotel had his “welcome to the big leagues” moment by facing the Rays' Junior Caminero. He experienced a learning moment in the process, leaving a big out over the plate for a home run to cut the Pirates' lead to 6-3.
"Yeah, it was 1-1. The pitch but not the right location," said Dotel. "I kept my composure and went after it again and the results were there."
Dotel didn't seem to be fazed by the result in the next at-bat by striking out Jonathan Aranda on three straight fastballs, the last touching 98.6 mph. Dotel would make a nice snag on a 100 mph rocket by Yandy Diaz and finished the outing by getting Cedric Mullins to fly out to Oneil Cruz.
"Oh man, that was impressive,” said Don Kelly. "Especially for a guy making his debut in the ninth inning with a lead and he gave up a homer and then come back with triple digits and stay in the zone. That was phenomenal."
During spring training, Joey Bart caught Dotel during bullpen sessions and had good things to say after today's debut: “I love it. I loved catching him in the spring. He attacks the zone. He’s got a lot of confidence from what I can tell. Small sample size, but I saw 100 mph flashing on the scoreboard, and it’s just ridiculous. We’re just spawning guys throwing 100 mph these days. I’m really excited for him. I think he’s a really, really good person on top of what he has. That’s really key and I’m really excited to see him get comfortable up here.”
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