SEPTEMBER 4, 2021•NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Anthony Alford flashes his muscle, but Pirates' rally falls short against CubsCHICAGO — It hasn’t always been pretty for Anthony Alford.
LEADING OFF: Dodgers' Urías faces Giants, Cubs COVID woes
Dodgers lefty Julio Urías starts against San Francisco for the fifth time this yearSEPTEMBER 4, 2021•ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cole Tucker - Notches first stealTucker went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Cubs.
ImpactThe 25-year-old showed some speed Friday, leading off the game with an infield single and adding his first stolen base of the year. Tucker has struggled mightily at the plate since he was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis, going 3-for-19 in six games. He's started in five straight games, earning nods at second base, shortstop and right field in that stretch.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Hoy Jun Park - Knocks second homerPark went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Cubs.
ImpactThe infielder hit the second of back-to-back home runs for Pittsburgh in the fifth inning. Park filled in for Ke'Bryan Hayes (hand) at third base Friday, but the former figures to fill a utility role most of the time. Park is slashing just .192/.244/.329 with two home runs, six RBI and six runs scored across 80 plate appearances between the Pirates and the Yankees.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Anthony Alford - Smacks pair of homersAlford went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Cubs.
ImpactThe outfielder has now popped four homers in nine games since he returned from a back injury, accounting for all of his long balls this season. Alford has added seven RBI, six runs scored and two stolen bases in 76 plate appearances. The 27-year-old figures to see a fair amount of playing time down the stretch, with Ben Gamel and Yoshi Tsutsugo also competing for time in the corner outfield spots.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Shelby Miller - Takes first lossMiller (0-1) allowed a run on one hit in one inning to take the loss Friday versus the Cubs.
ImpactThe 30-year-old was given the ball for the sixth inning, but he allowed a solo home run to Frank Schwindel, and the Cubs were able to maintain that lead. Miller had posted a scoreless inning in his Pittsburgh debut Wednesday, but he wasn't able to limit the damage versus the team he started the year with. With declining performance since 2017, Miller is likely destined for a low-leverage role while in the big leagues.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Steven Brault - Struggles again FridayBrault allowed five runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out four in four innings versus the Cubs on Friday. He did not factor in the decision.
ImpactThe southpaw didn't bounce back very well after getting lit up for seven runs in three innings versus St. Louis last Saturday. Brault had given up just four runs in 18.2 innings across his first four starts prior to his recent two-start skid. He now owns a 5.61 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB in 25.2 innings this year. The 29-year-old lines up for a home start versus Washington next week.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2021•ROTOWIRE
