It’s been a challenging start to the season for Marcell Ozuna. The slugger signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates in February and has slumped to begin the new season.
Ozuna is just 2-for-27 in his at-bats so far this season, holding a dreadful .074 batting average. Pirates fans know Ozuna is capable of much better, as the slugger has 296 career home runs, but he hasn’t put it together yet for a lineup in Pittsburgh that could surely use his power.
The fans let Ozuna hear their displeasure with his slow start on Saturday. After striking out in the sixth inning against the Orioles, the crowd at PNC Park hurled a chorus of boos at the designated hitter as he slowly walked back to the dugout.
This isn’t the first time Ozuna has had a slow start to the season, but he typically finds a way to turn it around and finish strong. Ozuna has hit at least 20 home runs in each of the past four seasons with the Atlanta Braves, and that’s what the Pirates fans are expecting this season from the 35-year-old.
After the game, Ozuna acknowledged the frustration he has caused his new fanbase.
“It’s not my first time being in that moment,” Ozuna said. “I deserve to be booed. I don’t mind. I’m going to keep grinding and do my best. As soon as I get the knocks, everything is going well now. I have the confidence, my teammates trust me and most of the fans trust me. They booed me because they need to see my show. So I have to give my show. This is the time, right now.”
Thankfully, Ozuna did pick up his second hit of the season on an infield single in the eighth inning that wound up being crucial to the Pirates’ win. After reaching base, the Pirates subbed Nick Yorke in as a pinch-runner for Ozuna, and he later scored to help spark the comeback. In the ninth, Yorke stepped up to the plate and delivered a walk-off RBI double.
Ozuna is out of the lineup for the Pirates on Sunday, but he will still play a vital role in Pittsburgh’s success this season.