Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman has had a very tough season, and just when he thought he had hit a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park on Tuesday night, he lost his cool.
But he didn’t actually do that.
Chapman came in to pitch in the eighth inning to protect the one-run lead, and started the inning by walking Shohei Ohtani.
He then struck out Freddie Freeman, but walked Will Smith, giving Teoscar Hernandez a chance with runners on first and second.
Chapman appeared to throw a flat curveball to Teoscar Hernandez, who hit a long fly ball deep in center field, and the former Yankees closer immediately Thinking he’d been hit with a three-run home run to give his team the lead, he threw his glove to the ground..
But Chapman was wrong to show his frustration: Jack Swinski, who hit the game-winning solo home run for Pittsburgh, caught a long fly ball just ahead of the warning track as Ohtani advanced to third base.
Chapman, who picked up his glove, was still frustrated after the play and pumped his fist into it.
But Chapman, the Yankees’ closer from late 2016 to 2022 and now the Pirates’ setup man, regained his composure, striking out Andy Page and bringing in Jason Heyward to pinch-hit for him to end the inning.
As Chapman entered the dugout, he received a playful tribute of condolence from teammate Andrew McCutchen. He playfully threw his glove on the bench.He drew a laugh and received a hug from the veteran relief pitcher.
Pirates closer David Bednar got the Dodgers out in the ninth for a 1-0 win, earning his 12th save and Chapman his 11th hold. Rookie Jared Jones pitched six scoreless innings to earn his fourth win.
It’s been a tough season for Chapman, a veteran with 322 saves in his 15-year career.
The 36-year-old relief pitcher has a 4.43 ERA and has already given up four home runs in 20 1/3 innings pitched.
Maybe that’s why Chapman, who has one save this season, was convinced he’d conceded another long ball.
But on this night he was given a reprieve.
