Nick

Gonzales

Gonzales’s double to right would have been a three-run homer in 23 ballparks and likely a two-run double in six of the remaining seven. In Wrigley, though, the ball got stuck in the ivy, preventing Rafael Flores Jr. from scoring the go-ahead run. Fortunately, Brandon Lowe followed with a two-run single off the bench, giving the Pirates a 4-2 lead. It was Gonzales’s 26th double of the year. He’s still in the running for a batting title. At .304, he trails only Luis Arraez (.313) and Otto Lopez (.309) in the NL.

Lowe will take a seat with left-hander Matthew Boyd toeing the slab for the Cubs. Spencer Horwitz will also get the same treatment. Nick Gonzales will cover second base in his absence and will bat fifth for the Pirates on Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Lowe will take a seat in this one with left-hander Yusei Kikuchi taking the mound for the Angels. Nick Gonzales will cover second base and will bat fifth for the Pirates on Saturday evening in Pittsburgh.

The 27-year-old infielder has been struggling a bit at the plate recently, hitting .243/.347/.313 with zero homers, eight RBI and a 14/9 K/BB ratio over 95 plate appearances in the month of August. Nick Yorke will start at third base for the Pirates on Sunday and will bat ninth against Cardinals’ southpaw Matthew Liberatore.

Gonzales’s hit resulted in only run in the three extra innings. There were three bunts, though, none of which worked out. The first two, from the Padres, were both popped up and the initial one resulted in a double play. The last, from the Pirates after Gonzales’s go-ahead hit, saw the lead runner get retired. Gonzales also walked and stole a base in the contest. He’s fourth in the majors with his .308 average.

Gonzales is in the cleanup spot today. He’s playing second because Brandon Lowe is getting a partial day off as a designated hitter. Nick Yorke is starting at third in Gonzales’s usual spot.

Gonzales was removed from Friday’s game after being hit on the helmet by a pitch. He passed through the concussion protocol but was held out of action on Saturday as a precautionary measure and will get an extra day on Sunday as well. He’s expected to be available off the bench if needed.

Gonzales cleared concussion protocol. He left Friday’s game after being hit on the helmet by a pitch.

Gonzales was hit on the left ear flap of his helmet by Jake Bennett in the fifth inning. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, but is being treated for a facial contusion. He’s considered day-to-day.

Gonzales has just not stopped hitting. Two more knocks here raised his batting average to .307 which is the fifth-highest mark in the entire league. That hasn’t come with much power – Gonzales only has six home runs and his .093 ISO is fifth-lowest in the league – but that high average makes him an asset in many leagues.