After a dramatic walk off victory on Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates had won two straight games over the Atlanta Braves and three straight games overall. They entered this afternoon’s game at PNC Park with an opportunity for a series sweep, and got out to an early lead. But the Braves caught fire midway through the game, breaking it wide open on their way to a 14-3 rout of the Bucs.
Wil Crowe started for Pittsburgh, giving up two runs on six hits in 4.2 innings. In fact, when he left the game, the Pirates had the lead. But the bullpen was the culprit in today’s loss. Kyle Crick gave up four runs while recording only one out, while Duane Underwood was annihilated for seven runs on eight hits in an inning.
The Braves scored a run in the top of the first inning, but the Pirates took a 3-1 lead on a three run homerun by Jacob Stallings in the bottom half of the inning. A solo homerun by Ronald Acuna Jr. in the top of the third cut the Bucs’ lead in half.
Atlanta took control of the game in the sixth inning, scoring five runs. Abraham Almonte’s two run single gave them the lead, and after a bases loaded walk made it 5-3, Orlando Arcia singled home a pair of runs to make it a 7-3 score.
Things got downright ugly in the eighth inning for Pittsburgh, as the Braves scored seven runs to make this game a blowout. Doubles by Ender Inciarte and Dansby Swanson scored two runs, and a single by Jonathan Lucroy made it 10-3. A two run homerun by Almonte made it 12-3, and a two run double by Ehire Adrianza scored the game’s last two runs, making it the final score of 14-3.
This was obviously not the way the Pirates wanted to finish off this homestand. Still, though, they were able to win this series against Atlanta, so perhaps they can carry some momentum on to their four game series on the road, beginning tomorrow night against the New York Mets. JT Brubaker will take the mound for Pittsburgh against Taijuan Walker for New York.
Record vs. Braves: 3-4
Record vs. N.L. East: 6-8
Record at Home: 19-25
Overall Record: 32-54
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
