Kristopher Negron Has Rough Debut as Pirates' Fill in Manager

Kristopher Negron Has Rough Debut as Pirates' Fill in Manager

Kristopher Negron’s first game as an acting manager couldn’t have been much more lopsided.

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 9-0 to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday at Chase Field, opening a three-game series and six-game trip. The loss followed a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds at home.

Negron, in his first season as the Pirates’ bench coach, managed in place of Don Kelly, who was suspended for one game by Major League Baseball earlier Tuesday.

Kelly and reliever Chris Devenski were suspended for an incident last Saturday; Devenski was ejected and fined for intentionally throwing at Reds infielder Sal Stewart.

Devenski’s original three-game ban was reduced to two after negotiations between the MLBPA and MLB. He will miss Wednesday’s game and return for Thursday’s finale. Pittsburgh was forced to play a man short on Tuesday night and will again have 25 players on Wednesday night.

Kelly and Devenski were also fined undisclosed amounts.

Devenski has pitched for the Pirates three times, allowing two runs and five hits in 2 1/3 innings. He has pitched for nine major-league teams since making his debut in 2016 with the Houston Astros.

Tuesday’s game fell to Negron, who watched Eduardo Rodriguez and two Diamondbacks relievers pitch a two-hit shutout. Negron learned Monday night—before suspensions were officially announced—he’d manage Tuesday.