‘Ronny’s a Little Ball of Energy,’ Pirates Get Needed Spark From Unlikely Source
· Yahoo Sports
PITTSBURGH — Reeling from a four-game losing streak to drop them a season-worst four games under .500, the Pirates were in need of a spark. On Saturday night, they got one, and it came from an unlikely source.
Ronny Simon, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, had his fingerprints all over the Pirates’ 9-0 win over the Mets at PNC Park.
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“We try to bring in the energy all the time,” Simon said. “When I go to home plate, all the time, when I go to the outfield, different things. I just try to be help the team. Just what I do.”
After the Pirates had already taken a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, Simon tacked on a couple more with a two-out double just inside the third base bag. They were the first two RBI of the season for Simon, who moved up from ninth to sixth in the batting order after Endy Rodríguez was a late scratch.
“I thought Ronny did a really good job tonight,” said manager Don Kelly.
Two innings later, Simon created some more magic. In his second at-bat of the game, the 26-year-old laid down a bunt and beat a throw from second base. He then stole second and hustled home on a Jacob Gonzalez single to extend the lead to 4-0.
“Ronny’s a little ball of energy,” said Jake Mangum, who had three hits in the win. “He’s the man. He plays hard. He knows what type of player he is. Whether going backside or pulling a ball or laying down a bunt, he’s a switch hitter that can kind of do all that. Love that.”
After Saturday’s win and the performance he had, Simon was beaming outside his locker after the game.
“It’s really fun. Amazing,” he said. “That’s just my authentic emotion. Like when I go there, it’s just me, just be Ronny Simon bringing the energy and just be me.”
Simon’s return to the Pirates is a triumphant one. He appeared in eight games for Pittsburgh in 2025 before suffering a gruesome season-ending injury. While sliding into home plate in a game in Boston on Aug. 29, Simon dislocated his left shoulder and tore his labrum.
The Pirates re-upped with Simon on a minor-league deal in the offseason. While with Indianapolis, he led the International League with a .330 batting average at the time of his promotion.
Back in the big leagues, Simon contributed in a huge win for the Pirates. And he did so with a smile that seems to never leave his face.
“Whatever they need (from) me, I’ll be there,” he said. “Catching, I’ll be there. If you need to throw it I’ll be there. Wherever they need me, I’m just trying to be Ronny Simon, contributing with everybody, and then try to smile all the time and bringing energy. That’s what I can do.”
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