Nick Yorke's Walk-Off Double Has the Pirates One Win Away From a Statement Sweep

The Pittsburgh Pirates are on a roll that would make any team nervous. After Nick Yorke delivered a game-winning double in the ninth inning Saturday night, Pittsburgh is chasing a sweep of Baltimore at home on Sunday. Three of the Pirates' five wins this season have been decided by one run. That's not luck. That's clutch baseball.

Yorke's Big Moment in a Tight Game

The Pirates scraped together a 3-2 victory Saturday after tying it up in the eighth and then getting Yorke to come through when it mattered most. Pirates manager Don Kelly wasn't holding back about what that at-bat meant. "He hasn't been consistent at the plate," Kelly said. "For him to be able to do that, it was an awesome at-bat." That's the kind of depth and resilience that wins close games. Kelly has been preaching the team concept all season, and it's starting to show. "These guys have bought into the team aspect," Kelly explained. "These guys are ready on the bench. Just the way they're buying into the team concept and finding a way to win."

Rookie sensation Konnor Griffin continues to make noise early in his career, going 1-for-6 with an RBI and a walk through his first two games. The Pirates are building something real here.

Baltimore Searching for Answers After Going 1-4

The Orioles have lost four of their last five games, and that Saturday loss stings because they led the whole way. Relief pitcher Ryan Helsley summed up the frustration perfectly. "It's obviously frustrating not winning games, and to lose a game like that when you lead the whole way just adds to it," Helsley said. Still, Baltimore isn't panicking. "I think we're competing really well," he added. "Sometimes baseball doesn't go your way. We got another chance on Sunday, and we got a lot of baseball left."

Outfielder Dylan Beavers echoed that sentiment. "I think we have a lot of really good players in here and they're just trying to put it all together and hopefully on Sunday everything aligns," Beavers said.

Sunday's Pitching Matchup

Pittsburgh will send right-hander Braxton Ashcraft (0-1, 3.00 ERA) to the mound. Ashcraft worked six innings in his first outing of the season Monday at Cincinnati but got no run support in a 2-0 loss, allowing both runs on four hits and four walks. He's in his second big-league season and faced Baltimore in relief last September, giving up one run in three innings.

The Orioles counter with right-hander Chris Bassitt (0-1, 8.31 ERA), who struggled in his last start against Texas, failing to complete the fifth inning. However, Bassitt has been sharp against Pittsburgh historically, posting a 4-1 record with a 2.27 ERA in six career starts against the Pirates with 46 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings.

First pitch Sunday at PNC Park. The Pirates can put a statement on this early season with a sweep.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.