The Pirates have now used the strategy of using an opener from their bullpen three times this season, and Thursday's 7-2 win over the Rockies was the latest example of it being a success.
The Pirates opened with Mason Montgomery for one inning and followed with another reliever in Evan Sisk before turning the game over to Carmen Mlodzinski in the third inning. Montgomery and Sisk combined for two scoreless innings before Mlodzinski threw five innings and allowed two runs.
The Pirates first used the strategy in a 2-0 win over the Nationals on April 15, when Montgomery pitched a scoreless first inning before Mlodzinski came in and pitched the next six. Then on April 27 in a 4-2 loss to the Cardinals, Montgomery and Justin Lawrence each pitched a scoreless inning before Wilber Dotel came in and was perfect over the next four.
Don Kelly said after Thursday's win that he believes the strategy is "really efficient."
"I think it's the mindset and the attitude and how they go about it," he explained. "Carmen, he's come out of the 'pen before, but he's been starting all year. So to take that mindset out to the 'pen and come in in the middle of the game in both outings, he's been really, really good."
Mlodzinski said that he was able to "pick off of what Sisk and Montgomery had" and find success, scattering four hits, walking three and striking out two. But as far as the strategy of using openers goes as a whole? He's not too crazy about it.
"It's not easy, honestly," he said. "It throws off your routine a little bit. Just one of those situations where you've got to just take it pitch by pitch knowing that you might not be able to do the same thing that you would usually do on a start day. I was warming up in between innings, so it was definitely different. Haven't done that before. Was just able to make the best of it honestly. Just do everything in your power to help the team win the game."
THE ASYLUM
Opener strategy keeps working
The Pirates have now used the strategy of using an opener from their bullpen three times this season, and Thursday's 7-2 win over the Rockies was the latest example of it being a success.
The Pirates opened with Mason Montgomery for one inning and followed with another reliever in Evan Sisk before turning the game over to Carmen Mlodzinski in the third inning. Montgomery and Sisk combined for two scoreless innings before Mlodzinski threw five innings and allowed two runs.
The Pirates first used the strategy in a 2-0 win over the Nationals on April 15, when Montgomery pitched a scoreless first inning before Mlodzinski came in and pitched the next six. Then on April 27 in a 4-2 loss to the Cardinals, Montgomery and Justin Lawrence each pitched a scoreless inning before Wilber Dotel came in and was perfect over the next four.
Don Kelly said after Thursday's win that he believes the strategy is "really efficient."
"I think it's the mindset and the attitude and how they go about it," he explained. "Carmen, he's come out of the 'pen before, but he's been starting all year. So to take that mindset out to the 'pen and come in in the middle of the game in both outings, he's been really, really good."
Mlodzinski said that he was able to "pick off of what Sisk and Montgomery had" and find success, scattering four hits, walking three and striking out two. But as far as the strategy of using openers goes as a whole? He's not too crazy about it.
"It's not easy, honestly," he said. "It throws off your routine a little bit. Just one of those situations where you've got to just take it pitch by pitch knowing that you might not be able to do the same thing that you would usually do on a start day. I was warming up in between innings, so it was definitely different. Haven't done that before. Was just able to make the best of it honestly. Just do everything in your power to help the team win the game."
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