PHILADELPHIA — Mason Black warmed up in the bullpen at Citizens Bank Park, getting the news he would be the San Francisco Giants starting pitcher against the Phillies about 24 hours prior.
Black, a Valley View High School and Lehigh University graduate, has been playing for the Giants Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento and was taking it all in, "It's been really exciting. A whirlwind of emotions for sure. I'm just enjoying every moment," said Black.
Black pitched four and a third innings against the Phillies and had some good moments early on until he gave up five runs, four of them in the 4th, including a three-run homer from Bryce Harper.
A lot was learned in his first outing with the big club, "I just can't leave the fastball in the middle to a good hitter, plain and simple. Once these guys see you once or twice will figure out what you're trying to do. It's just a learning process," explained Black.
"They didn't have very good swings on him the first couple times around. The message to him was you pitched well; we just needed you to go a little longer than maybe you were prepared to go," said Bob Melvin, San Francisco Giants General Manager.
There may be a lot of pressure when making your Major League debut, but Black has the advantage of being not that far from home and having his family able to come and support him.
"Means a lot being close to home. I felt that. It being a getaway day, I wasn't able to see every single person out there, but it was incredible," said Black.
"Everything worked out for the best, and we're super proud, and he used to be a Phillies fan growing up. When I saw him down there throwing, I think just a flood of emotions just came through me," said George Black, Mason's father.
The Giants believe Black has enough talent to earn another start. The team will decide when in the coming days.
Watch the full interview with Lackawanna County native Mason Black on WNEP's YouTube channel.