Pittsburgh Review

PITTSBURGH – Bryan De La Cruz's initial weeks as a Pirate did not go as anticipated. Acquired as part of the team’s Trade Deadline efforts, Pittsburgh aimed to add a significant right-handed power bat to their lineup. However, De La Cruz started just 4-for-34 in his first eight games, with all hits being singles.

Reflecting on this period, De La Cruz explained the challenges he faced. “I tried to do too much because when you get traded and you hit 18 home runs, that's a little bit of pressure because they traded for a guy that they know can hit home runs,” De La Cruz said Thursday via interpreter and coach Stephen Morales. “I was trying a little bit too hard at the beginning."

Signs of improvement have emerged recently. Following his first three-hit game as a Pirate on Thursday, De La Cruz played a crucial role in the Pirates’ 6-5 win over the Reds at PNC Park on Friday. He contributed an RBI double during a four-run fifth inning and later added a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the sixth inning that secured the victory.

The double marked De La Cruz’s third of the series, and he is now batting .351 over his past 10 games (13-for-37). Manager Derek Shelton observed during those initial weeks that De La Cruz appeared to be putting excessive pressure on himself. Now, by De La Cruz’s own admission, he is swinging with greater confidence.

"I think when we acquired him, we knew he was a run-producer,” Shelton said. “He went through a tough stretch, but … even going back to the second game in Texas where he had the two-out base hit, that's six or seven RBIs [in four games]. So yeah, that's very important for us."

Postgame Friday, De La Cruz mentioned that using his hips more has contributed to his recent success. He also feels more comfortable working in the cage compared to his initial struggles upon arrival.

With these early extra-base hits behind him and key RBIs contributing to wins, De La Cruz is looking more like the player Pittsburgh sought and aims to support his team effectively.

“Knowing your teammates have your back and going out there and producing for your teammates, showing them that you have their back too,” De La Cruz said, “it feels really good."

De La Cruz’s contributions were crucial on Friday. Starter Bailey Falter lost rhythm in the fourth inning and allowed five runs over five innings. By then, Pittsburgh had yet to place a runner on base until Joey Bart sparked a four-run rally in the fifth with a bloop single. Bart eventually drove home the tying run in the sixth before scoring on De La Cruz’s sacrifice fly.

August has been challenging for Pittsburgh, including losing their first eight one-run decisions this month. However, Friday saw them match their largest comeback of the season instead of conceding after falling behind significantly.

“Packing it in is not in our dictionary,” Falter said. “We’re always battling no matter what -- every pitch, every at-bat -- so we’re just trying to finish the year strong, and I feel like we’re doing pretty well right now.”