Oneil Cruz's raw power is tantalizing, but there are times hitters just have to put the ball in play to make an impact. That's exactly what Cruz did in the Pirates' 1-0 win over the Reds on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park, driving in the only run of the game.
"It feels really good to be able to bring the winning run," Cruz said after the game through interpreter Stephen Morales. "Also not just get the win, but get the win against a division team. It feels really good."
After Konnor Griffin extended his hit streak to six games to spark a two-out rally, Cruz came to the plate with runners on first and second. Sure, a three-run home run would be a great way to excite the 16,642 fans in attendance. However, in a 0-0 game where runs are at a premium, it's all about getting a hit, especially knowing Griffin's elite speed is in scoring position.
After chasing a slurve in the dirt from Tony Santillan, Cruz laid off a backdoor slurve that just missed the zone. Santillan came back and tried the backdoor slurve again, nabbing the zone for a second strike. With a 1-2 count, Santillan changed the eye level and threw a 96-mph fastball up and out of the zone, but Cruz was able to stay on top of it and lace it 103.8 mph into center field, driving in Griffin. Had Cruz tried swinging for the fences, it likely would have stayed a 0-0 game. However, seeing him take something off the swing and just put the barrel on the ball, that shows the growth Cruz has worked diligently to achieve.
"I think the times he’s gotten outside himself, we’ve talked about every hitter out there wants to be the guy to come up with the big hit," Don Kelly said of Cruz. "For someone who’s 6-7, as tall as he is, the hand-eye coordination and the ability to put the ball in play and go and handle a pitch elevated like that, that’s elite talent."
THE ASYLUM
Cruz shows growth in winning hit
Oneil Cruz's raw power is tantalizing, but there are times hitters just have to put the ball in play to make an impact. That's exactly what Cruz did in the Pirates' 1-0 win over the Reds on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park, driving in the only run of the game.
"It feels really good to be able to bring the winning run," Cruz said after the game through interpreter Stephen Morales. "Also not just get the win, but get the win against a division team. It feels really good."
After Konnor Griffin extended his hit streak to six games to spark a two-out rally, Cruz came to the plate with runners on first and second. Sure, a three-run home run would be a great way to excite the 16,642 fans in attendance. However, in a 0-0 game where runs are at a premium, it's all about getting a hit, especially knowing Griffin's elite speed is in scoring position.
After chasing a slurve in the dirt from Tony Santillan, Cruz laid off a backdoor slurve that just missed the zone. Santillan came back and tried the backdoor slurve again, nabbing the zone for a second strike. With a 1-2 count, Santillan changed the eye level and threw a 96-mph fastball up and out of the zone, but Cruz was able to stay on top of it and lace it 103.8 mph into center field, driving in Griffin. Had Cruz tried swinging for the fences, it likely would have stayed a 0-0 game. However, seeing him take something off the swing and just put the barrel on the ball, that shows the growth Cruz has worked diligently to achieve.
"I think the times he’s gotten outside himself, we’ve talked about every hitter out there wants to be the guy to come up with the big hit," Don Kelly said of Cruz. "For someone who’s 6-7, as tall as he is, the hand-eye coordination and the ability to put the ball in play and go and handle a pitch elevated like that, that’s elite talent."
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