Suwinski's three-homer, walkoff gem an 'unbelievable' Father's Day gift

Brian Giles' grand slam. Russell Martin's homer off Johnny Cueto. Andrew McCutchen's walkoff homer in extras against the Cardinals.

If the 2022 Pittsburgh Pirates can give their fans anything amid a season that promised to deliver its fair share of pain, agony and frustration, Jack Suwinski provided a moment that rivals some of the best ever witnessed in their gem of a ballpark.

The record books will show that Suwinski became the team's first rookie to hit three home runs in a game since McCutchen. And that Suwinski joined seven other players since 2000 -- including Albert Pujols and Joey Votto -- to hit three home runs in a game that finished with a walkoff. And that no rookie had ever done it. And so much more.

But don't overlook this: This is the type of game that kids will cherish for years. They'll reminisce with their fathers at future ballgames, holidays or random weeknights. Long after these kids get home and have a hard time falling asleep tonight, still riding the high from this 4-3 win over the Giants on a gorgeous Sunday at PNC Park, they'll have it.

'Hey, Dad. Remember the Jack Suwinski Game on Father's Day?'

These are the moments that fathers pray for when they bring their son or daughter to a ballgame.

All three of them:

And the encore view from field level, as shot by the team videographer:

There's a reason why so many of us who love this game consistently quote the famous line from Moneyball: "How can you not be romantic about baseball?"

To top everything off, Suwinski's father, Tim, was in attendance.

"It’s just unbelievable," Jack Suwinski said in the clubhouse after the game. "Especially to do it on Father’s Day with my dad here, I know it means a lot to him and it means a lot to me, just the amount that he’s done for me. He’s always been there. Just being able to share that, knowing he’s here, it’s awesome. It’s hard to describe."

As for the postgame feast ...

"It should be my treat," Suwinski said. "He’s paid for a lot of my dinners. I think I owe him a couple."

When the Pirates still had a 3-2 lead in the eighth, Derek Shelton approached Suwinski while he was in the hole and asked if he had ever hit three home runs before. After Suwinski said he hadn't, Shelton told his young outfielder, "Today would be a great day for it."

Turns out the Pirates needed Suwinski to come through with Thairo Estrada spoiling a multi-inning save attempt by David Bednar with a solo home run in the ninth. After closer Camilo Doval closed Friday and Saturday's games, Giants manager Gabe Kapler called on Tyler Rogers to pitch the Pittsburgh ninth with Suwinski leading off.

Rogers, who specializes in throwing off hitters with a submarine delivery, came into the game without allowing any home runs on the season. In addition, Rogers had thrown 965 sliders in his major-league career prior to Sunday, having given up only four homers off of it.

When Rogers threw a 1-1 slider, Suwinski tracked it and did enough to send the ball over the Clemente wall.

But how do you hit such a funky slider?

"That slider just really comes up and in from that angle," Suwinski explained. "Not finding that sweet spot, but seeing something up, but nothing too far up if that makes sense."

Not at all, but I'm not a professional baseball player. But with the way Suwinski commanded the strike zone all game long -- three homers and a walk -- sometimes all the opposition can do is tip their cap.

"Obviously, a monster day," Kapler said. "I think Suwinski was just lightning-hot right there."

Shelton helped break down why Suwinski may be having so much success at PNC Park since nine of his 11 homers have come at home. 

"We’ve talked about his ability to backspin the ball," Shelton said. "(PNC Park) is built for a left-handed hitter that can get the ball in the air. That’s his strength, so I think it caters to his swing, especially the way he uses his top hand and is able to turn it over a little bit. I think the biggest part of it is just how composed he stays.”

Fans lost their composure once the ball landed in the right-field stands, sending their hats onto the field -- the same as hockey fans do when a player records a hat trick. That only added to the majesty of the moment.

“Yeah, he was player of the game, I think. We voted him player of the game," Shelton laughed.

The bond between a father and his children is unlike any other. It's why we have days to celebrate our mothers and fathers. For the 23,905 in attendance, it'll be a day for the record book that truly matters.

JUSTIN BERL / GETTY

Jack Suwinski leaps onto home plate after his third home run Sunday at PNC Park.

• For those that will remember today as the "Jack Suwinski Game," my Dad I and share a special memory from the aforementioned Giles grand slam.

For those who might not remember, on July 28, 2001 -- the year PNC Park opened -- the Pirates trailed the Astros, 8-2, in the bottom of the ninth with two outs. With all hope seemingly lost, my Dad and I made our way toward the Roberto Clemente Bridge to head back to where we parked downtown.

While we were on the bridge, we heard the fireworks go off, only to find out that Giles hit the walk-off grand slam to win the game, 9-8.

As far as memories go, this is one I never let my Dad forget.

• As for the rest of the game, Mitch Keller bounced back from a rough first inning that included two walks and two runs (one earned), putting the Pirates in an early 2-0 hole. After a conversation with catcher Michael Perez, Keller went back to the mound in the second with a determination to pick up the tempo -- and it worked. Keller pitched six innings, giving up only three hits, three walks and, most importantly, didn't allow another run.

As much as this is another step in the right direction for Keller, it could be contagious for the rest of the pitching staff, especially since this is coming off a nine-walk performance on Saturday.

"If you work fast and throw strikes, good things can happen, especially against a really good club," Shelton said. "And so it’s a good message for the rest of the group. We talk about reviewing or giving things to other players. It’s good thing for other players to see.”

• The other run not provided by Suwinski came from Hoy Park, who got the Pirates on the board with this solo shot off Alex Cobb:

• You know it's a big moment at PNC Park when the call-up of Oneil Cruz isn't the biggest baseball story in Pittsburgh. Derek Shelton confirmed after the game that Cruz and Bligh Madris will be called up with a corresponding roster move to be announced Monday.

While most of us have our conclusions of why now is the time to call up Cruz, this is what Shelton had to say:

“Now’s the time that we think he can help us. We’ve talked about a lot of things developmentally. There’s still things we’re going to continue to work on, but we think now’s the time that he’s going to help us.”

Shelton confirmed that Cruz will predominantly play shortstop and eventually get time in the outfield.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Boxscore
• Live file
• Standings
• Statistics
• Schedule
• Scoreboard

THE HIGHLIGHTS

THE INJURIES

• 10-day injured list: OF Ben Gamel (hamstring), OF Jake Marisnick (thumb), 1B Yoshi Tsutsugo (lumbar muscle strain), Josh VanMeter (finger)

• 60-day injured list: SS Kevin Newman (groin), OF Canaan Njigba-Smith (wrist), OF Greg Allen (hamstring), RHP Blake Cederlind (UCL), RHP Nick Mears (elbow surgery), Roberto Pérez (hamstring, out for season)

• COVID injured list: INF/OF Tucupita Marcano

THE LINEUPS

Shelton's card:

1. Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B
2. Bryan Reynolds, CF
3. Daniel Vogelbach, DH
4. Michael Chavis, 1B
5. Jack Suwinski, LF
6. Cal Mitchell, RF
7. Diego Castillo, SS
8. Michael Perez, C
9. Hoy Park, 2B 

And for Gabe Kapler's Giants:

1. Luis González, RF
2. Mike Yastrzemski, CF
3. Wilmer Flores, 3B
4. Joc Pederson, LF
5. Brandon Belt, DH
6. Thairo Estrada, 2B
7. Tommy La Stella, 1B
8. Brandon Crawford, SS
9. Austin Wynns, C

THE SCHEDULE

Oneil Cruz and the Pirates welcome the Cubs to PNC Park for a four-game series, beginning Monday at 7:05 p.m. JT Brubaker (0-7, 4.50) and Caleb Killian (0-1, 8.00) take the mound. DK and Alex Stumpf will have you covered.

THE CONTENT

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