After scoring a season high 14 runs and collecting 19 hits, another season high, in the series opener against St. Louis, one would think the bats would cool off in the second game. In the first inning however, the Pirates proved they had plenty of offense left in the tank against Lance Lynn as they scored four of their seven runs in the first frame thanks to a grand slam by Pedro Alvarez.
With the home run, Alvarez is living up to the popular hashtag used on Twitter of #DayDro as he entered play with a .296/.350/.831 line with 11 homers and 22 RBI in day games. In comparison, Alvarez has a line of just .193/.268/.304 with 3 home runs and 18 RBI in night games. Pirates’ Manager Clint Hurdle said that he was amazed that they kept splits of this, but it’s something that doesn’t need talked about much unless we see it in the years to come.
With the home run today, the Pirates extended their lead to 51 home runs on the road this season, the most in the National League. Looking back at the beginning of May, did you ever think that would be a statistical category that this team would lead? Better yet, with the month ending at nights end, the Pirates lead the National League in home runs, are first in runs, second in RBI, fourth in average, fourth in OBP and third in slugging percentage in June.
With their 20 runs in the first two games of the series and one game left to play against the Cardinals, the Pirates have already guaranteed their highest three-game run output since they scored 23 against Houston in July, 2010.
The recipient of the offense today was starting pitcher Jeff Karstens. After a rough outing in his first start since coming off of the disabled list in Philadelphia, Karstens rebounded nicely today pitching seven strong innings, allowing just the two earned runs on four hits, and striking out a season high seven batters en route to his first win of the season.
Aside from the grand slam from Alvarez, the Pirates scored three more runs on a double from Neil Walker, and fielder’s choices by Clint Barmes and Drew Sutton. The other main focal point is when Pirates’ fans around the world held their collective breath as Andrew McCutchen made a diving catch in the third inning and came up holding his wrist.
McCutchen went back to the clubhouse to have the wrist checked, but was pulled out of the game in the eighth inning with discomfort in the wrist. The injury is not thought to be initially serious.
The Pirates will look to wrap up their series against the Cardinals in a big way tomorrow afternoon. The Pirates haven’t had a sweep in St. Louis since 1991, and will send Erik Bedard (4-8, 4.27 ERA) to the hill to face the Cardinals and Jake Westbrook (6-6, 3.77 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. ET.
Photo Credits: Associated Press
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