The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds with a 17-7 victory. The Pirates’ entire lineup got involved in the team-wide 19-hit, 11-walk performance at PNC Park.
Pirates’ Offensive Explosion
Everybody in the Pirates’ starting lineup recorded at least one RBI. This was the first time the Pirates’ starting lineup had all recorded at least one RBI since Sept. 16, 1975 vs. the Cubs.
The Pirates struck for five first inning runs on 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 in the opening frame against Reds starter Rhett Lowder.
It’s 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.
Reds’ Pitching Struggles
Following three consecutive walks, the Pirates chased Lowder from the game after just 1 1/3 innings. Gonzales, Ozuna, Spencer Horwitz and Griffin all drew walks, driving in four more runs without the benefit of a hit. It was a display of historically bad control and solid plate discipline to keep the bat on its shoulders.
The seven walks allowed in the inning tied a big league record for most in an inning. The Pirates were the team issuing the walks the last time it happened on May 25, 1983. Jim Bibby and Jim Winn combined to do it in the bottom of the third inning at Atlanta.
It was also the first time since April 27, 1994, that a team allowed at least five runs in an inning without giving up a hit. That’s when the Mariners allowed that line to the Yankees in the third inning.
Manager’s Reaction
“It was really impressive,” manager Don Kelly said. “I think it was something that we can learn from as we go through the season. When we’ve been really good offensively and had those big innings, it’s usually been because we’ve been patient. Hunted the middle of the plate, the middle of the field and continued to trust the guy behind us.”
“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.”
The Pirates struck for five more runs in the fourth inning, led off by Griffin’s second career