Pittsburgh Pirates' SS Joins Select Group in Franchise Record Books on Thursday
The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Miami Marlins on Opening Day, 6-5, behind a historic performance from shortstop Oneil Cruz.
The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Miami Marlins in extra-innings on Opening Day, 6-5, to begin the 2024 season off on the right foot.
In the win, Pittsburgh scored two runs in the seventh and one in the eighth to force extra-innings before winning it in the 12th.
In the win, Pirates' shortstop Oneil Cruz picked up right where he left off in spring training by hitting a home run. In the win, he went 1-for-5 with the homer and a walk. He also joined a select group in team history.
Per the Pirates on social media:
2023 111.1 mph, 425 ft.
2024 105.5mph, 384 ft.
Oneil Cruz is just the fifth player in Pirates history to homer in consecutive Opening Days.
Cruz homered last year on Opening Day and then proceeded to miss nearly the entire season with a broken ankle, but he seems ready to rebound in a big way. The 25-year-old is one of the most exciting young players in the league and if he's able to put it all together this year, the Pirates could be frisky in a mediocre National League Central.
So far, Cruz is a .236 career hitter with 20 homers and 62 RBI. He's also stolen 13 bases. He pairs with Bryan Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes to make up the nucleus of the Pirates' offensive group.
The two teams play again on Friday night at loanDepot park in Miami. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET as Martin Perez (PIT) battles against left-hander AJ Puk (MIA).
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