JOHNSTOWN — COVID-19 has forced Major League Baseball to postpone its 2020 regular season.

The latest WJAC-TV 6 Sports Stories segment features the opening of a new home for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2001, the Pirates left Three Rivers Stadium, and moved into PNC Park.

Before the regular season started, the Pirates hosted the New York Mets in an exhibition game. St. Marys High School grad, then rookie pitcher Joe Beimel made an appearance for Pittsburgh. He recorded a strikeout in the 8th inning. After the game, Beimel told reporters he let himself soak in the atmosphere.

"Took a little time, stepped back, and enjoyed the moment," Beimel said.

Pittsburgh opened the ballpark with a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. The Pirates got off to a tough start, losing the opener, 8-2.

After an off day, the Buccos rebounded. They beat the Reds, 6-5, on April 11. In the 7th inning of 5-5 tie, Pittsburgh's Kevin Young drove in Aramis Ramirez with a double. The Pirates took a 6-5 lead. The bullpen held the Reds scoreless for the remainder of the game. Mike Williams earned the save, and Jose Silva got credit for the win.

The victory moved the Pirates' record to 4-4. They lost the next four games, and never got back to .500, for the remainder of the season. Pittsburgh finished with a record of 62-100 in manager Lloyd McClendon's first season.

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