TORONTO -- Jared Triolo's three-hit performance was at the forefront of an 11-hit attack in the Pirates' 8-1 victory over the Blue Jays in the second game of a three-game set at Rogers Centre Saturday.
Hitting out of the No. 8 spot in the lineup, Triolo delivered with a single in the second, a double and a run scored in the fifth and another single in the ninth to give him his third career output of three-plus hits. He previously had a three-hit game against the Cubs on Sept. 20 and put together a four-hit outing against the Reds three days later.
Two of Triolo's three hits came against Toronto starter Yusei Kikuchi, who he remembered facing during spring training. Having a good plan of attack against him was key.
“I saw him a couple of times during spring training and just kind of knowing what he’s going to throw. Had a good plan," he said. "That’s the hardest thing about baseball, executing the plan. It felt really good to go out there and put up some runs for Mitch."
Triolo's three-hit day boosted his batting average from .203 to .215. He's now played in 52 games this season, just two shy of his 54-game total in 2023 when he hit .298 with a .786 OPS. Triolo said the biggest difference he's noticed between last year's experience and this year is just how long of a season it truly is.
“At the beginning of the season, it’s a long one. At the end of last season, it was kind of a sprint. Everybody is on their last leg and you’re giving it all you’ve got, but it’s a long season and there are ups and downs," Triolo said. "People harp on it all the time. There’s going to be stretches when you’re winning and losing games. You just have to roll with the punches.”
Given Nick Gonzales' success since being recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis and Ke'Bryan Hayes' recent return from the injured list, Triolo could find consistent playing time hard to come by moving forward. His versatility certainly helps his cause at multiple positions, but he knows only the best players will be on the field each day.
“Whoever can help the team win, I think that’s the best lineup," Triolo said. "Moving forward, I want to help the team win. If that’s being in the role I was in or being in a new role, that’s good with me.”
