PITTSBURGH (AP) -Adam and Andy LaRoche finally played their first game together with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night, two weeks after the brothers became teammates.
The Pirates acquired Andy LaRoche, a 24-year-old third baseman, from Los Angeles on July 31 as part of the trade that sent Jason Bay to the Boston Red Sox and Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers. But at the time of the deal, first baseman Adam LaRoche had just been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained rib cage.
Adam LaRoche was activated from the DL on Wednesday following Pittsburgh’s 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
“Finally, we’re both healthy and can play together,” said Adam LaRoche before Thursday’s game. “This is what we’ve been looking forward to. We’ve been talking about this day. It’s pretty neat.”
Adam LaRoche batted fourth in the finale of a three-game series against the Reds. Andy LaRoche hit fifth.
Adam LaRoche, 28, said he has never been on the same team as his brother, even growing up.
“He’s always been just a little bit too young,” he said. “What better place to do it for the first time then in the big leagues?”
Andy LaRoche joked that he plans to test his brother with his throws from third base.
“I’m going to make him earn his paycheck,” he said. “I’m going to throw it in the dirt, see what he’s got and test him out. I’ll get him.”
The LaRoches, who father Dave pitched in the major leagues from 1970-83, are the first brothers to be teammates on the Pirates since Eddie and Johnny O’Brien in 1958.
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