Pirates Series Takeaways: Ozuna Emerging, Griffin Gets Results and Lessons, Could’ve Ended Better

Pittsburgh’s offense has been performing well to start the season, but getting Ozuna to perform the way he has for much of his MLB career would take things to the next level.

“He’s been having much better at-bats, as we’ve seen,” manager Don Kelly said after Thursday’s game. “He’s put in a lot of work to continue to get this point out.”

Griffin Gets Results and More Teaching Moments

Maybe it should’ve been expected, but it was a slow start for Konnor Griffin to begin his major league career. Prior to his big-league debut, he only had five games above Double-A under his belt.

Like Ozuna, Griffin’s numbers entering the series with the Nationals without much to show for, but the game’s top prospect had at least one hit in each of the three games he started during the series.

On Monday, Griffin went 1 for 4 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored. The next day, he went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. After a scheduled day off on Thursday, Griffin went 2 for 5 with an RBI triple — missing on his first home run by a matter of inches.

Griffin continues to get more comfortable in the box.

“The results are going to come,” he explained. “I’m just trusting the process and continuing to be the same guy.”

As is the case with any rookie — 19-year-old ones especially — there will continue to be growing pains and teaching moments.

One came on Tuesday, when Griffin committed a costly error with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Luis García Jr. hit a soft grounder to Griffin, who couldn’t win a foot race to second base with Nasim Nuñez. Griffin was gearing up for a throw to first but his leg got tangled with the runner and the ball was spiked into the ground, allowing all three runners to score.

Griffin took accountability after the loss.

“I was just trying to make a play for [starter Braxton Ashcraft].,” he said. “Fielded it, thought I had a chance to get second, turn and throw, my back leg got stuck under his. At that point, I just tried to hold onto it. It kinda slipped out of my hand and three runs scored. That’s on me.”

Split Decision

A split is fine, but the Pirates could’ve had more that series.

Their 16-run outburst in the series opener was a big reason why they outscored the Nationals 29-18 over the four games, but a case could be made that the Pirates could’ve walked away with a sweep, or at least a series win.

In Tuesday’s loss, there was a questionable pinch-hit decision and the Pirates were unable to cash in on a few late scoring opportunities. They made too many mental mistakes in the series finale and fell 8-7, despite out-hitting the Nationals 15-10. Clean baseball wins that game, but the Pirates were sloppy and it cost them.

“We had ‘em pretty much every game,” Griffin said. “Could have swept that series. Just got to continue to finish games and continue to do our jobs.”

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