PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Friday was a night to never forget for Austin Meadows.
After being called up by the Pittsburgh Pirates while Starling Marte recovers from injury, Meadows made his MLB debut Friday night against the San Diego Padres.
The Pirates ended up losing the close contest, 3-2.
Despite the loss, Meadows had a strong debut.
Going up to bat four times, Meadows struck the ball twice. In the bottom of the second inning, Meadows filed out to center field for his first career hit.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Meadows hit a single to the right.
After the game, Meadows said that he had been “dreaming” of his debut.
“It was just anticipation out there,” Meadows said. “Just being ready to play. Just going out there and being myself. I don’t even know if it’s hit me yet, honestly.”
“It’s something I’ll never forget, for sure.”
The reception of Meadows was well-received throughout PNC Park. When he went up to bat for the first time, members of the crowd gave him a standing ovation.
Not commenting on whether Meadows would stay with the Pirates when Marte returns from the 10-day DL, manager Clint Hurdle gave his nod of approval to Meadows’ debut.
“I thought he had a very good debut,” Hurdle said.
The Pirates scored first. In the first inning, Josh Bell doubled to the left — almost a home run — which scored Adam Frazier. Then, in the third inning, Corey Dickerson recorded a single to the left, which scored Frazier again.
Meanwhile, the Padres had all of their scoring later in the game.
In the fourth inning, Eric Hosmer hit a double off an Ivan Nova pitch, which scored Travis Jankowski. Catcher Raffy Lopez, in the fourth inning, hit a ground ball to second base, which scored Hosmer.
In the top of the sixth inning, Padres outfielder Franchy Cordero hit a single to the left, scoring Hosmer once more.
What’s Next?
The Padres and Pirates face off again on Saturday night. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.
Pitching for the Pirates will be Nick Kingham, while the Padres will start with Clayton Richards.
What They Said: Twitter on Austin Meadows
Get that ball!@austin_meadows with his first Big League knock! pic.twitter.com/iBWsw82Xj8
— Pirates (@Pirates) May 19, 2018
First @MLB game, first MLB hit
Austin Meadows notches his first career knock in his @Pirates debut. The No. 42 overall prospect then promptly swiped second base
Watch live: https://t.co/5ScAvgBVhY pic.twitter.com/OiNP6qL5Dr— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 19, 2018
Pirates center fielder Austin Meadows enters the field for the first time as a major league player Friday night against the Padres. pic.twitter.com/gzAyF4AdT0
— Matt Freed (@mattfreedpghpg) May 18, 2018
.@Pirates Austin Meadows and his 1st hit ball and others from game. Congratulations….. Welcome to #THESHOW pic.twitter.com/n4jpTNq7hn
— Scott (@bonnett_scott) May 19, 2018
BP on the big stage for @austin_meadows pic.twitter.com/ImJSSM1EDC
— Pirates (@Pirates) May 18, 2018
Austin Meadows on how he found out he was getting the call pic.twitter.com/HD8kEMYS8k
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) May 18, 2018
Pirates center fielder Austin Meadows kisses his fiancée, Alexis Wilson, during batting practice before his major league debut Friday against the Padres at PNC Park. pic.twitter.com/MptN66MSYQ
— Matt Freed (@mattfreedpghpg) May 18, 2018
Just looked it up and Bittersweet Symphony came out when Austin Meadows was two years old. That makes me feel old AF.
If I had to pick a walkup song from when I was two years old, it would probably be Everybody Wants to Rule the World.
— Tim Williams (@timwilliamsP2) May 18, 2018
Austin Meadows flied out to deep center field in his first @MLB at-bat. Walked up to "Bittersweet Symphony." Nice round of applause before and after.
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) May 18, 2018
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