May 20 β Pittsburgh 7, St. Louis 0.
Four singles. Three runs scored. The kid was everywhere β on base, in scoring position, crossing the plate. Pittsburgh had 15 hits on the night and Griffin was the engine that kept it rolling.
Carmen Mlodzinski did the rest β 5 shutout innings, the Cardinals couldn't touch him. St. Louis went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Total shutdown.
The Pirates snapped a 4-game losing streak in the most convincing way possible. A 20-year-old shortstop leading the charge in St. Louis? That's a vibe.
The Numbers Don't Lie
20 years old. Went 4-for-5. Looked like a 10-year veteran.
Four singles. No home runs. No doubles. Just pure, disciplined contact hitting at the highest level β and he made it look effortless.
He scored three runs. He was on base all night. He was the difference.
Mlodzinski Locked It Down
While Griffin was doing his thing at the plate, Carmen Mlodzinski was dealing on the mound.
Five shutout innings. Four hits allowed. One walk. The Cardinals went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Total shutdown.
The bullpen finished it off β Yohan RamΓrez, Evan Sisk, Justin Lawrence, Dennis Santana β each threw a scoreless inning. Not a single run allowed all night.
Where They Stand Now
The Pirates are now 25-24. They just snapped a 4-game losing streak in St. Louis β with a 20-year-old shortstop leading the charge.
Playoff odds: 28%. That's the gap. A young team still fighting to prove it belongs.
The Cardinals fall to 28-20. Playoff odds: 52%. Still in the race β but getting shut out at home doesn't help.
The gap in the standings says one thing. What Griffin showed last night says another. π
The Bottom Line
Konnor Griffin is 20 years old. He went 4-for-5 last night. He looked like a 10-year veteran.
That's not a coincidence. That's who he is.
Who's your favorite young shortstop in baseball right now? Drop it β¬οΈ
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