Two former East Carolina baseball players nearly squared off in Monday’s game between the Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals.
Jeff Hoffman picked up his 16th save of the season after the Blue Jays scored in the 10th inning. They then held on for a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals and fellow ECU baseball alum Alec Burleson.
Burleson and Hoffman could have squared off if the game went nine innings. Burleson, who was 1-for-4 at the plate and played right field, grounded out to start the ninth inning. He hit a double in the seventh but did not score.
The ninth inning is typically when Hoffman comes in to try to get the save. With the game tied at 4-4, Hoffman remained in the bullpen until Toronto took the lead.
Hoffman promptly slammed the door shut by coaxing a strikeout, groundout and lineout to center to end the game. He dropped his ERA to 5.46 with his fourth save in eight days.
The two teams will play again Tuesday and Wednesday.
See below to find out what the rest of the Pirates in baseball did on Monday. The minor league teams were off. Also of note is Carter Spivey is scheduled to pitch Tuesday for Akron against the Hartford Yard Goats.
Major League Baseball
- Connor Norby, Miami Marlins: 1-for-4 with RBI in 10-3 loss to Pirates
- Alec Burleson, St. Louis Cardinals: See above
- Shawn Armstrong, Texas Rangers: Off Monday. At the Twins starting Tuesday.
- Gavin Williams, Cleveland Guardians: Did not pitch in 7-4 loss to Reds
- Jeff Hoffman, Toronto Blue Jays: See above
- Zach Agnos, Colorado Rockies: Off Monday. Host Giants starting Tuesday.
- Clayton McCullough, Miami Marlins (manager): Team lost 10-3 to fall to 24-40
Photo credit: Jeff Hoffman (AP photo)
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