Pirates’ starter JT Brubaker has averaged almost three walks (2.99 BB/9) per nine innings on the mound early in his big league career (36 starts between 2020-22), and the 28-year-old, 2015 6th Round pick walked three in three innings in his 2022 debut in Pittsburgh’s rotation earlier this month.
Brubaker walked three batters (César Hernández, Nelson Cruz, and Josh Bell) in the opening frame of tonight’s game, loading the bases with one out before singles by Keibert Ruiz (on a fly to the right field wall Bucs’ outfielder Hoy Park couldn’t reel in) and Yadiel Hernández (line drive to right field) put the visiting Washington Nationals up 3-0 in the top of the first inning.