Flores, Callihan (finally) showing stuff in their mid-20s
Even if his current stint with the major-league club is short-lived, Rafael Flores Jr. ensured that his presence would be felt with two swings of the bat in the Pirates' 8-6 loss to the Dodgers here tonight at PNC Park.
First, there was his first career big-league homer off JustinWrobleski that sparked a four-run fifth inning ...
HOME RUN: First career homer for Rafael Flores Jr. Sends a 1-1 slider into the Pirates bullpen here in the fifth. Dodgers, 5-1 -- From José Negron in Pittsburghpic.twitter.com/cJL5YnZsdE
... and then there was an RBI double in the eighth, one that cut the Pirates' deficit to two, as part of a performance in which Flores reached base three times to help spark an offense that's already operating without both KonnorGriffin and OneilCruz.
"It's just part of the game," Flores said. "It easily could've been me that was missing the opportunity. I'm glad I'm here. I'm glad I was able to produce and I just gotta stay healthy and keep going."
The impact Flores had tonight, and even last night with a late-inning walk, is similar to the way in which TylerCallihan has made himself comfortable in his second career stint as a big-leaguer. Callihan followed up his two-homer night on Wednesday with two more big plate appearances on this night, drawing a fifth-inning walk and then leading off the eighth with a triple before scoring on a JakeMangum double.
Both Flores and Callihan, two 25 year olds who were recently recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis, have benefitted from opportunities that have presented themselves due to different situations. Callihan could see more playing time with the injuries the team has dealt with, while it's possible that Flores might not be in the majors much longer with Endy Rodriguez avoiding a stint on the injured list and Henry Davis expected to return from the paternity list at some point soon. Still, both have taken advantage of their opportunities to impact the major-league club in one way another. And they're proving that, even in their mid-20s, they're capable of hanging at this level.
"In the time we’re in right now, they were hugely instrumental yesterday in coming back," DonKelly said, referring to Wednesday night's come-from-behind win. "Any time you lose guys like KG and Cruz, other guys can step up and take advantage of the opportunity like Flores and Callihan have done. In a big way, too. They’re not going up there trying to do too much. They’re staying within. They’ve got the swing to be able to do that stuff."
THE ASYLUM
Flores, Callihan (finally) showing stuff in their mid-20s
Even if his current stint with the major-league club is short-lived, Rafael Flores Jr. ensured that his presence would be felt with two swings of the bat in the Pirates' 8-6 loss to the Dodgers here tonight at PNC Park.
First, there was his first career big-league homer off Justin Wrobleski that sparked a four-run fifth inning ...
... and then there was an RBI double in the eighth, one that cut the Pirates' deficit to two, as part of a performance in which Flores reached base three times to help spark an offense that's already operating without both Konnor Griffin and Oneil Cruz.
"It's just part of the game," Flores said. "It easily could've been me that was missing the opportunity. I'm glad I'm here. I'm glad I was able to produce and I just gotta stay healthy and keep going."
The impact Flores had tonight, and even last night with a late-inning walk, is similar to the way in which Tyler Callihan has made himself comfortable in his second career stint as a big-leaguer. Callihan followed up his two-homer night on Wednesday with two more big plate appearances on this night, drawing a fifth-inning walk and then leading off the eighth with a triple before scoring on a Jake Mangum double.
Both Flores and Callihan, two 25 year olds who were recently recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis, have benefitted from opportunities that have presented themselves due to different situations. Callihan could see more playing time with the injuries the team has dealt with, while it's possible that Flores might not be in the majors much longer with Endy Rodriguez avoiding a stint on the injured list and Henry Davis expected to return from the paternity list at some point soon. Still, both have taken advantage of their opportunities to impact the major-league club in one way another. And they're proving that, even in their mid-20s, they're capable of hanging at this level.
"In the time we’re in right now, they were hugely instrumental yesterday in coming back," Don Kelly said, referring to Wednesday night's come-from-behind win. "Any time you lose guys like KG and Cruz, other guys can step up and take advantage of the opportunity like Flores and Callihan have done. In a big way, too. They’re not going up there trying to do too much. They’re staying within. They’ve got the swing to be able to do that stuff."
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