CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
It seems hard to believe the same team that in the first half of the season averaged just three runs per game has averaged 8 runs since the All-Star break. But for a Buco team on a hot streak it was just another night at PNC.
Coming on the wake of the 11-run win last night the Pirates did it again tonight scoring 15 runs on 18 hits.
Pirates had big game from most of the lineup with the majority hitting over .400 in tonight’s game.
The Pirates were helped out by a six run fourth inning in which the Pirates batted around. A big part of that inning was a three run homer by Delwyn Young that put the Pirates ahead 8-3
Pedro Alvarez had another multi homerun game, as he belted another pair tonight. His two run shot in the fifth inning gave the Pirates a 10-3 advantage. He was not finished there, adding a solo homer in the eight off the right field foul pole. For a team sorely lacking a reliable power hitter Alvarez could be their long-term solution if he can keep this kind of production.
The Pirates continued to add at least a run in each of the final three innings scoring in the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. The complete humiliation of the Brewers was due in most part to starter Randy Wolf who was allowed to pitch 5 and 2/3, and being charged with a career high 12 runs and 13 hits.
Pirates starter Zack Duke was helped out by tonight’s offensive explosion and earning his fourth win of the season. Duke, now 4-9, gave up three runs on six hits and striking out three in six innings of pitching.
Andrew McCutchen was kept out of the game again yesterday, as he is still trying to recover from an AC injury he suffered on Sunday. Delwin Young made his second appearance in the outfield to help fill the void.
Ryan Doumit who missed Tuesdays’ after taking a fowl tip off his facemask in Monday’s game was pulled in the third inning after colliding with Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks in the first inning. The collision at home gave the Brewers a 1-0 lead, but left Doumit with a concussion like symptoms. Because of the multiple incidents it is likely that he will be placed on the 15 day disabled list for precautionary measures.
The Pirates are now over .500 at home, 23-22, but still far from .500 overall at 34-60. In fact to get back to .500 the Pirates would have to win every game until August 18 or win every series, that is 2 out of every 3 and 3 out of 4, from now until the end of the season, which is a tall order even for a team that seems to be on a hot streak.
