Piscotty has strong night in homecoming
Cardinals rookie gets two hits, makes nice plays before family, friends
SAN FRANCISCO -- Playing as close to his Bay Area hometown as he has since he was a standout player at Stanford University, Cardinals rookie outfielder Stephen Piscotty treated his personal cheering section of approximately 50 friends and family members to a web gem in the field and a two-hit night at the plate.
Though the Cardinals eventually suffered a 5-4 walk-off loss to the Giants, Piscotty keyed the team's comeback attempt against starter Mike Leake. His two-out, two-run double in the fourth capped a three-run inning that pulled the Cardinals to within one after Marlon Byrd's grand slam. With a ninth-inning single, Piscotty notched his 10th multi-hit games since debuting July 21.
"I'm just trying to do my part, do whatever I can," Piscotty said. "[I'm] just trying to have good at-bats, get on base when we need it. I know we fell short, but I thought it was impressive how we bounced back especially right after the grand slam."
In the outfield, his quick cutoff of Nori Aoki's leadoff hit kept Aoki from stretching a double into a first-inning triple. Piscotty then slid into the bullpen mound to make a catch that ended the sixth.
Video: STL@SF: Piscotty dives for a great catch to rob Duffy
Before familiarizing himself with the oddities of playing right field at AT&T Park, Piscotty spent some time pregame visiting with various folks who had come to see him. Family members, childhood friends and even his high school baseball coach showed up to see his Bay Area Major League debut.
A three-time first-team all-East Bay Athletic League pick in high school, Piscotty stayed in the area for college, choosing to attend Stanford University. There, he became a first team All-Pac 12 selection and, eventually, the 36th overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.
Piscotty still makes his home in Pleasanton, Calif., but until Friday, had never been back here to play.
"It's awesome the support I have," he said. "It was a fun night, but it would have been a whole heck of a lot sweeter with a win."