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Nationals' Orlando Ribalta was entirely unexpected hero vs. Pirates
TL;DR
Orlando Ribalta emerged as an unexpected hero for the Nationals in their extra-inning game against the Pirates, helping secure an 8-7 lead in the 10th inning. The Nationals improvised their pitching strategy during the extra innings.
Key points
- Orlando Ribalta was an unexpected hero for the Nationals
- The game went into extra innings
- Nationals took an 8-7 lead in the 10th inning
- James Wood contributed with a key single
- Improvised pitching strategy was used
Mentioned in this story
Pittsburgh
NationalsPiratesOrlando RibaltaJames Wood
Nationals' Orlando Ribalta was entirely unexpected hero vs. Pirates originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Teams don't really make a pitching plan for extra innings.
They try to win the game in nine frames, and when it goes extras -- like Nationals-Pirates did on Thursday -- they improvise.
Orlando Ribalta proved great at the improvisation on Thursday in Pittsburgh.
The Nats took an 8-7 lead in the top of the 10th when James Wood singled home the bonus runner from second base.
Ribalta entered for the bottom half, and despite giving up a leadoff infield single to Konnor Griffin, he saved the game.
The righty Ribalta struck out Bryan Reynolds, then he got the speedy Jake Mangum to ground into a double play.
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Ribalta was credited with a game-high 44.8 Win Probability Added. It makes sense, given he entered with a one-run lead and three outs to get while a guy was already on second base.
Still, Ribalta is an unlikely hero. Before this season, he had pitched in 26 MLB games and had a 7.81 ERA.
But he has now worked two scoreless innings this season for Washington. And this one was a big one.
He's got solid stuff -- his heater to strike out Reynolds was 96.9 miles per hour.
Q&A
Who is Orlando Ribalta and what did he do in the game against the Pirates?
Orlando Ribalta is a pitcher for the Nationals who played a crucial role in their extra-inning game against the Pirates, helping the team take an 8-7 lead.
What was the final score of the Nationals vs. Pirates game?
The Nationals won the game against the Pirates with a final score of 8-7.
How did the Nationals score in the 10th inning against the Pirates?
The Nationals scored in the 10th inning when James Wood singled home the bonus runner from second base.
