Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star reliever Felipe Vazquez has been arrested after being accused of inappropriate sexual contact with a minor. Vazquez has been charged with sending inappropriate photos to a teenage girl in Florida, and soliciting sex via text message. Pennsylvania State Police have also filed other sex crime charges in Pennsylvania, including statutory sexual assault. The Pirates closing pitcher was arrested at his Strip District apartment Tuesday and jailed without bond after a district judge considered him to be a “flight risk.”
The Pirates immediately contacted major league baseball and Vazquez was placed on adminstrative leave. He had developed into one of the best closing relievers in baseball, making the All-Star team the past two seasons. He had a 5-1 record and 28 saves this year, with a 1.65 ERA.
The Pittsburgh Pirates lost to the Seattle Mariners 6-0 last night at PNC Park. It was the Bucs fourth loss in a row. Mitch Keller started for the Pirates. He allowed two runs over five innings, striking out seven.
The two teams play again tonight at 7:05pm. Pre-game on WISR is 6:40pm.
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the San Diego Padres 3-1 last night, and the Chicago Cubs fell 4-2 to the Cincinnati Reds. The two teams are now tied for the final National League Wild Card with 11 games remaining in the regular season. Both team are also two behind the first-place St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cardinals and Cubs begin a four-game series Thursday.
Former Pirates outfielder Corey Dickerson has suffered a broken foot and is out for the remainder of the season. Dickerson was traded to Philadelphia in July.