The Pirates secured a dominant 17-7 victory against the Cincinnati Reds, marking their second consecutive win. The entire Pirates lineup contributed to the offensive onslaught, recording 19 hits and 11 walks.
The Pirates’ manager, Don Kelly, noted the importance of patience at the plate, trusting the next batter. The team’s approach of hunting pitches in the middle of the plate proved effective.
Pirates’ First Inning Blitz
Pittsburgh struck for five runs in the first inning. They managed five hits, including a pair of doubles, and a walk. Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, Nick Gonzales, Marcell Ozuna, and Konnor Griffin all drove in runs.
Lowder’s Early Exit
Rhett Lowder struggled to find the strike zone, issuing three consecutive walks in the second inning. The Pirates chased him from the game after just 1 1/3 innings. Gonzales, Ozuna, Spencer Horwitz and Griffin all drew walks, driving in four more runs.
Cincinnati’s pitching woes continued as they surrendered seven walks in a single inning, tying a big league record. The Pirates capitalised on this poor control and their own plate discipline.
Historical Offensive Display
It was the first time since April 27, 1994, that a team allowed at least five runs in an inning without giving up a hit.
- Everybody in the Pirates’ starting lineup recorded at least one RBI — for the first time since Sept. 16, 1975 vs. the Cubs.
- It’s also the second time this season that the Pirates have scored 15+ runs in a game.
- It’s the fourth time in team history that the Pirates have done that twice before their 35th game of the season, but it’s the first time that has happened since they did it four times before their 35th game in 1896.
The Pirates added five more runs in the fourth inning, with Griffin leading the charge with his second career.
“A walk’s as good as a hit,” O’Hearn said. “You get a couple guys on base, somebody gets a big hit and the offense is rolling. It’s always fun for the dugout, gets rowdy, everybody’s locked in. Fun to put a lot of points on the board. Hopefully, we just keep this mojo going.”