Wall can't slow Gamel, who has decisive hit

The Pirates had their fair share of chances to retake the lead against the Tigers on Tuesday at PNC Park. Ben Gamel took it upon himself, both offensively and defensively, to make a comeback victory come to fruition with a 3-2 win.

Gamel's wall-crashing grab in the top of the sixth robbed Derek Hill of a hit that would’ve scored the runner on third and extended Detroit’s lead; instead it ended the half inning, bringing the Pirates up to the plate. Gamel went 3-for-5 out of the fifth spot against Detroit, with his third hit providing the upper hand the Pirates were looking for.

• Box score

"Another highlight-reel catch, [another] big at-bat,” manager Derek Shelton said of Gamel’s impact in the game. “He had three hits and then the big base hit [with] two RBIs. We had the opportunity to break that game open three or four times and didn't get the big hit, but Ben got the big hit in that situation and we were able to hold it."

Staring down Tigers reliever Alex Lange with the bases loaded in the sixth, Gamel pulled an inside fastball and drilled it to right field. Yoshi Tsutsugo and Bryan Reynolds hurried around the bases to beat Robbie Grossman’s throw at the plate, which lacked velocity, as Reynolds was able to score standing up.

Gamel has been playing on another level of intensity as of late. During the team’s recent road trip to Chicago, Gamel made three show-stopping plays in left field that kept the Pirates within the game. His defensive capabilities have his skipper comparing him to a bird because of the way he can fly to hard-hit balls in the outfield.

"[He's] really going kind of balls to the wall and just making [good] plays,” said Pittsburgh reliever David Bednar, who tossed a scoreless eighth inning. “Whether it be in Chicago where he made all those plays [or] today, making those plays and then running into the wall, hanging on to the ball. As a pitching staff, we definitely feed off of that and just kind of gives us the mindset of just kind of let [it] rip."

The 29-year-old has improved his at-bat quality, as well. In his last seven games, Gamel is hitting .261 with six hits and two RBIs. His game-changing output in Tuesday’s win positioned the Pirates for a series sweep over the Tigers, while also showcasing his value on the roster.

In a team that is building toward the future with highly ranked prospects, Gamel is making his impression among the younger players on the roster who have a fraction of his service time.

"I think it's extremely good for a young team. He fits right into our culture,” Shelton said. “This guy plays hard, he has intensity to him and for a guy that we brought in that had five years [of] big league service time, he plays the game exactly the way we want our culture to be."

That culture is one that Gamel has fallen in love with in 91 games. He was given a second chance when the Pirates claimed him off waivers back in May after the Cleveland Indians designated him for assignment, and has powered through since then with a slash line of .258/.349/.401 and 21 RBIs.

He’s humble about his leadership among Pittsburgh’s young core and won’t give himself credit for setting the example in the clubhouse or the way the team plays. For Gamel, this has always been his style of play.

"I wouldn't say [I’m setting an example,]” Gamel said. “I play hard and if I feel like I can go out and make a play, that's what I'm gonna do. It's not this or that, it's just kind of how I've always played."

Gamel will be a free agent come 2023, but for right now, his focus is the present. He and the Pirates have found ways to remain competitive while being in last place in the National League Central, and they’re doing so against teams with far more experience than them.

"I love it here. I can't say enough good things about the guys in that clubhouse, and they compete every day,” Gamel said. “Obviously, we haven't won as many games as we'd like to this year, but it's been fun every single day coming to the field and grinding with this group of guys. It's been a blessing."