Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh PiratesPIRATES 10 – REDS 7
Win: Jared Hughes (1-0)
Loss: Johnathan Broxton (0-1)
PITTSBURGH — Trailing 5-0 in the seventh inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates (6-6) erupted with four runs in the seventh and added another six runs in the eighth, en route to a thrilling come from behind 10-7 win over the Cincinnati Reds (5-7), completing a three game sweep against the Reds.
“One of the premium teams in baseball last season,” Hurdle said of sweeping Reds. “Very gratifying, good feeling.” With the win, the Pirates move to .500 at 6-6.
The home run ball was huge for the Pirates this afternoon as Michael McKenry hit a solo home run in the seventh to get the Pirates on the board and then in the eighth McKenry went deep for the second time, a two-run blast to left field to tie the game at 6-6 and the place was rocking.
Moments later Starling Marte delivered a two-run homer, his first of the season to give the Pirates an 8-6 lead. The Pirates would tact on two more runs in the eighth as Gaby Sanchez and Neil Walker drove in runs to push the Pirates lead to 10-6.
Joey Votto hit a solo home run off Mark Melancon to cut the Pirates lead to 10-7.
TIDBITS
*Phil Irwin (0-0, 7.71 ERA) making a spot start allowed 6 hits and 5 runs in 4 1/3 innings. Irwin struggled with his control, walking four batters. “There was definitely some nerves he dealt with, and didn’t really settle down until the third inning,” Hurdle said. Jeanmar Gomez who was bypassed for the spot start, gave the Pirates 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Irwin. Gomez allowed just 1 hit and didn’t let the game get away. “Jeanmar did a nice job keeping the game in tact,” Hurdle said. “Got ahead of people, very well needed.”
*Fans arguing for Michael McKenry (.333 – 2 HR – 3 RBI) to get more playing time will only mount after going 2-4 with 2 home runs and 3 RBIs in the win. “Timely and much needed, Hurdle said of McKenry’s big day. “Second start of season and he hit one off Latos and hit one off Broxton. He competes and works as hard as anyone we have.”
*Starling Marte (.347 – 1 HR – 7 RBI) continues to shine, delivering the go-ahead home run in the eighth and registered his 7th multi-hit game in eight games, going 2-5 with HR, 2 RBIs, 2 runs. Marte now has an 8 game hitting streak.
*Travis Snider (.304 – 0 HR – 3 RBI) also gave the Pirates a big game at the plate, going 2-4 with RBI and 2 doubles.
SCORING SUMMARY
Top 1st: Brandon Phillips singles on a ground ball to left field, Shin-Soo Choo scores, Zack Cozart scores. Joey Votto to 2nd (CIN 2 – PIT 0)
Top 2nd: Shin-Soo Choo doubles (3) on a fly ball to left field, Chris Heisey scores, Ryan Hanigan scores. Fielding error by left fielder Starling Marte (CIN 4 – PIT 0)
Top 5th: Brandon Phillips singles on a ground ball to center, Joey Votto scores. Brandon Phillips to 2nd (CIN 5 – PIT 0)
Bottom 7th: Michael McKenry homers (1) on a fly ball to center field for a solo home run (CIN 5 – PIT 1)
Travis Snider doubles (3) on a fly ball to right field, Starling Marte scores (CIN 5 – PIT 2)
Andrew McCutchen doubles (4) on a line drive to left field, Travis Snider scores. (CIN 5 – PIT 3)
Gaby Sanchez singles on a ground ball to left field, Andrew McCutchen scores. (CIN 5 – PIT 4)
Top 8th: Jack Hannahan singles on a line drive to left field, Todd Frazier scores. Chris Heisey to 2nd. (CIN 6 – PIT 4)
Bottom 8th: Michael McKenry homers (2) on a fly ball to left field, Pedro Alvarez scores (CIN 6 – PIT 6)
Starling Marte homers (1) on a fly ball to left field, Jose Tabata scores (PIT 8 – CIN 6)
Gaby Sanchez hits a sacrifice fly to center, Jonathan Sanchez scores (PIT 9 – CIN 6)
Neil Walker singles on a line drive, Andrew McCutchen scores (PIT 10 – CIN 6)
TOP 9th: Joey Votto homers (1) on a fly ball to center field (PIT 10 – CIN 7)
