Joe Espada is a freakin genius. (At least tonight)
With a runner on second, two down in the sixth, and the Stros down a run, Espada lifted lefty slugger Jon Singleton to get a favorable righty-lefty matchup from Mauricio Dubon against Pirate starter Jake Woodford. Of course, the Pirates countered with a right hand reliever, Jalen Beeks. No more advantage with splits.
It’s ok. The spray hitting Dubon immediately proceeded to smash a go-ahead home run on the first pitch, averting an Astros four-game skid, and getting his team back into first place in the division.
Brilliant.