Pirates rally falls short in 6-5 loss to Twins

A comeback attempt by the Bristol Pirates fell short on Tuesday night as they dropped the series opener in Elizabethton 6-5. 
Shortstop Jesus Valdez started the scoring for Bristol with a leadoff home run on the third pitch of the game. It was the first team home run for Bristol of 2019, and it was the first leadoff home run for Bristol since Jonah Davis hit one on August 19, 2018.
The Twins tied the game on a leadoff home run from Spencer Steer in the bottom of the first inning before scoring five runs in the second inning to go up 6-1. Neither team would score again until the fifth inning, when right fielder Brendt Citta hit a two-run single to left. The Pirates scored another run on an RBI groundout by center fielder Daniel Rivero, and Citta would score on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to one run. That would be the final run for Bristol, as the Pirates left five runners on base over the final four innings.
Starter Tahnaj Thomas fell to 0-2 on the season after allowing three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out one over 1 1/3 innings. Enrique Santana led the Pirates pitching staff in the loss, allowing three hits over three scoreless innings with four strikeouts. 
Valdez went 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk, one RBI and two runs, while Citta was the only other Pirate with two hits as he finished 2-for-5 with a stolen base, two RBI and a run scored. Third baseman Aaron Shackelford ended the night 1-for-1 at the plate with four walks. He was the first Pirate with four walks in a game since Dean Lockery on August 17, 2018.
The Pirates (1-6) will look to snap a three-game losing streak on Wednesday night in the second game of the series. Luis Ortiz will start for Bristol after allowing two hits and one walk over five scoreless innings against Burlington.