Reliever Jared Hughes Plays Key Role In Pirates' 5-4 Home Opener Victory
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Pirates reliever Jared Hughes entered the 7th inning with the bases loaded and no outs and the team holding onto a 2-0 lead.
A double play and pop out later, Hughes got the Pirates out of the jam and into the bottom of the 7th with a 2-1 lead.
That wasn't the end of the day for Hughes though as he pulled Pirates Postgame duty with Dan Zangrilli and Kevin Orie where he talked about his big inning.
"The objective was, to go in there, bases loaded, just get ahead in the count, pound the zone," Hughes said. "Usually the hitters know you're going to be trying to do that, right, you're trying to just pound the zone, and for me try to pound it low and force contact."
Hughes also made sure to give some of the credit to his infielders for making the plays behind him.
"I want to give it up to my infielders. That was an awesome double play they turned. That thing was not a can of corn, it wasn't an easy one and they did a good job back there."
Click the audio link below to hear more from Hughes on the role he plays in the Pirates bullpen, whether or not he feels the pressure that comes along with it and the purpose behind his signature sprint in from the bullpen.