Oneil Cruz’s Historic Night Powers Pirates’ Walk-Off Win
Cruz’s Unmatched Hitting Ability
Oneil Cruz, the 24-year-old shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is quickly becoming one of the most exciting players in baseball. Cruz is known for his incredible power at the plate, and he showcased it in a big way on Tuesday night against the San Francisco Giants. Cruz hit two balls with an exit velocity of 120 mph, becoming the first player in the Statcast era (since 2015) to do so. Cruz also hit a double and scored two runs in the Pirates’ 7-6 walk-off win.
The Walk-Off Hero
The Pirates trailed 6-2 going into the bottom of the 10th inning, but Cruz’s heroics helped them rally for the win. After Ke’Bryan Hayes singled and stole second, Cruz came to the plate with two outs. Cruz hit a ground-ball single up the middle, scoring Hayes and sending the crowd at PNC Park into a frenzy.
Cruz’s Unprecedented Statcast Performance
Cruz’s two 120 mph batted balls were the hardest-hit balls in baseball this season. They were also the first two 120 mph batted balls by a Pirates player since Statcast began tracking data in 2015. Cruz is now one of only two players in MLB history to have multiple 120 mph batted balls in their career.
In addition to his two 120 mph batted balls, Cruz also hit a 116 mph single in the fifth inning. That gave him three 116 mph batted balls in the game, making him the first player in MLB history to accomplish that feat.
Oneil Cruz’s Historic Night Powers Pirates’ Walk-Off Win
Oneil Cruz’s historic night led the Pittsburgh Pirates to a thrilling 7-6 walk-off win over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. The 24-year-old shortstop put on a hitting clinic, becoming the first player in the Statcast era to hit two balls with an exit velocity of 120 mph in a single game.
Cruz’s Unmatched Hitting Ability
Cruz’s prodigious power was on full display against the Giants. He hammered two balls with an exit velocity of 120 mph, the hardest-hit balls in baseball this season. He also ripped a double and finished the night 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
The Walk-Off Hero
After Cruz’s heroics, it was rookie infielder Nick Gonzales who delivered the game-winning hit. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning, Gonzales lined a single back up the middle to score Michael Chavis and give the Pirates the walk-off victory.
Cruz’s Unprecedented Statcast Performance
Cruz’s Statcast performance was truly remarkable. He became the first player in the Statcast era to hit two balls with an exit velocity of 120 mph. He also became the only player with multiple 120 mph batted balls in their entire career.
In addition to his two 120 mph hits, Cruz also had three batted balls with an exit velocity of 116 mph. This made him the first player in MLB history to have three 116 mph batted balls in a single game.
Batted Balls at 120 mph in the Statcast Era
Before Cruz’s historic night, only 20 batted balls had been hit with an exit velocity of 120 mph in the Statcast era. Cruz’s two 120 mph hits on Tuesday brought that total to 22.
Cruz’s Impressive Batting Stats
Cruz’s hot streak continued on Tuesday, as he went 3-for-5 with a double. In his last 13 games, he is batting .260/.303/.441 with seven doubles and three home runs.
Impact on the Game
Cruz’s heroics helped the Pirates avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of the Giants. The win improved their record to 23-26, which is identical to the Giants’ record.
Cruz’s performance is a reminder of his immense potential. He is one of the most exciting young players in baseball, and he is capable of doing things that no other player can.
Conclusion
Oneil Cruz’s historic night was a testament to his incredible talent. He is a generational hitter with the ability to change the game with one swing of the bat. The Pirates are lucky to have him, and he is sure to be a force in the MLB for years to come.