Pittsburgh Pirates player leaves spring training game for birth of first child

Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates' Jacob Stallings hits a pitch off of Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta to drive in Ben Gamel during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (Keith Srakocic/AP)

By Alby Oxenreiter

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates were back home in Bradenton on Tuesday.

They lost to the Orioles in a game that featured 19 runs on 28 hits.

But the game itself pales in comparison to Ben Gamel’s day.

Gamel, who played left field, had two hits in two at-bats and scored two runs.

One of his hits was an opposite field home run in the fourth inning.

Then the important portion of his day began.

Gamel left the game and headed four hours northeast to Jacksonville for the birth of his first child.

Ben and his wife Lauren are ready to welcome a baby girl, Delilah, who’s expected to arrive sometime Tuesday evening.

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