Pittsburgh Pirates veteran starting pitcher Rich Hill, 43, lived up to the phrase “make the best of any situation.
Hill started a home game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., on May 5, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out six in 6 2/3 innings to lead the team to a 2-1 victory.
He met with the media after the game and said, “Hedges (catcher Austin Hedges) did a really good job, he played great defense behind the plate and the hitters put together some good at-bats. The bullpen has done a great job the last couple of days,” he said, before praising his teammates.
“I felt really good with the ball coming out of my hand, and I was able to throw the ball according to my plan. I gave up a walk because my curveball was off, but I was able to make the adjustment right away with the next batter. I was able to make some good pitches with runners on base and get out of the inning,” he said of how he was able to keep the game scoreless despite surrendering a leadoff hitter in every inning from the first through the fourth.
Pittsburgh needed a strong start on this day. With bullpen attrition in the previous two games and an earlier-than-usual 11:30 start, Hill was exactly what the team needed.
“He was the perfect guy for the 토토사이트 situation today,” manager Derek Shelton said. “He’s a veteran, he knows how to play in these situations,” he said, adding that he handled the unfamiliar situation well.
When asked how he handled the unfamiliar playing time, Hill said, “It sounds obvious, but I’m just trying to be in perfect shape for any situation, any time.”
“Whether it’s rain or snow, whether I’m throwing in spring training or on a batting cage, I’m preparing the same way,” the 19-year major league veteran said, adding that he’s committed to doing his best no matter the situation.
Calling him “one of the best closers in the game,” he added: “I’ve had the opportunity to work with Hall of Fame closers like Kenley Jansen and Jonathan Papelbon in my career, and I see it in them. The ability to mix pitches and stay on a game plan is really special. He’s still young in his career, but you can see the conviction and the confidence,” he said of Bednar.
