The Pirates got exactly the kind of game they needed from Paul Skenes on Sunday in Cleveland, but the surprise name in the lineup wound up stealing plenty of the spotlight.
Before first pitch, Pittsburgh fans were already fired up over the starting nine. With Skenes taking the ball in a game that mattered, they wanted the strongest possible offensive group behind him.
Instead, Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe were both out, and they were already dealing with injuries to Konnor Griffin, Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz. That left Jared Triolo batting second and Billy Cook in center field, hitting ninth - a setup that did not go over well online.
“Hilarious joke! What’s the real lineup?”
“Billy Cook starting again when all these games will determine if you make playoffs again because why not."
“No serious organization puts Billy Cook in any lineup ever.”
That was the mood before the game. By the end of it, Cook had turned that reaction on its head.
The Pirates’ utility man put together one of the best outings of his major-league career, finishing 3-for-4 with a triple, three RBIs and an outfield assist as Pittsburgh rolled to a 7-1 win over the Guardians. He was involved everywhere, and not just with the bat.
In the fourth inning, Cleveland had a real chance to make noise, putting runners on the corners with nobody out while Pittsburgh was clinging to a slim lead. Kyle Manzardo sent a fly ball to center, and Cook made the catch before throwing home to cut down Chase DeLauter for a double play. What could have become a tie game instead ended with Skenes escaping cleanly.
Cook then delivered at the plate. He opened the fifth with a triple off the right-field wall and later scored when catcher Patrick Bailey's pickoff attempt got away, helping Pittsburgh move in front 2-1. He added another RBI single to center later on, keeping the pressure on Cleveland and continuing a day that few fans saw coming when the lineup was announced.
Skenes handled his side of the bargain too, allowing one run across seven innings while striking out eight. It was his longest outing since May 12, and this time the Pirates backed him with real run support. A good chunk of it came from the player fans had spent the morning questioning.
Afterward, Skenes had nothing but praise for Cook, calling him the team's "Swiss Army knife," and saying, "If we need vibes, he's got vibes. If we need a double, he's got a double. If we need an unbelievable play in center field, he's got that too."
Cook has spent the season doing whatever Pittsburgh has asked, moving around and filling in wherever needed. On Sunday, that meant starting in center field behind Skenes in a big series finale.
Given the injuries and the stakes, the frustration from fans made sense. But Cook also gave the Pirates a reminder that the game is decided between the lines, not when the lineup card first hits social media.
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