On Oneil Cruz’s first swing of the second half, he smoked Aaron Nola’s changeup off the base of the center field wall at an exit velocity of 120.5 mph for an RBI double that saw him slide effortlessly into second base. That was a sign that Cruz could be a catalyst for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second half, which would be a welcome change in their hopes of contending for a spot in the postseason.
It was the first of three hits and three RBIs for Cruz in Friday’s 8-7 walk-off win at PNC Park. The 25-year-old shortstop followed it with another three-RBI performance Saturday, going 2 for 4 with a double and a two-run home run as the Pirates scored back-to-back wins over a Philadelphia Phillies team with the best record in baseball. “This kid likes the lights.
I think we’ve seen that the last two nights. He’s stepped his game up a little bit,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said after Saturday’s 4-1 win. “And he’s healthy now, which before the break he wasn’t.
It’s been very much needed – and it’s fun to watch. ..
. He’s going to be a big part of what we’re doing in the second half.” A 120.
5 MPH double off the bat of Oneil Cruz! That ball was SMOKED ???? pic.twitter.com/RWg2o2wsgk — MLB (@MLB) July 19, 2024 Just how big remains to be seen, as Cruz went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts and two errors in Sunday’s 6-0 loss.
But Cruz is in the midst of a red-hot July, where he is batting .320/.352/.
600 with five doubles, three home runs and 14 RBIs t.