CINCINNATI -- The Pirates' bullpen gave Jose Hernandez the advice and reminders that a rookie probably needs to hear. "It's the same game." "It's the same baseball." "Just go out there and have fun."
But to actually appear in a big-league game? Well, the whole experience didn't feel quite real for the Pirates' Rule 5 pick, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning in the team's 6-2 loss to the Reds at Great American Ball Park Saturday.
"I still can't believe I pitched in the big leagues today," a beaming Hernandez said after the game, via interpreter Stephen Morales.