The Pittsburgh Pirates snapped their season-long ten game losing streak, beating the Cleveland Indians 11-10 in a wild game at PNC Park.
It was a run-happy contest on the north shore, as the two teams combined for 21 runs on 21 hits. Early on, it looked as though it would be an easy victory for the Bucs. But, despite a valiant comeback by the Indians, Pittsburgh held them off to secure a much-needed win.
The Pirates scored five runs in the first inning, highlighted by a two run double by Jacob Stallings and a two run homerun by Gregory Polanco. A solo homerun by Bryan Reynolds in the third inning made it 6-0, and it looked as though it would be an easy road to victory for the Bucs.
Cleveland got on the board in the sixth inning on a single by Cesar Hernandez, but the Bucs answered with five more runs in the sixth. A bases loaded walk to Phillip Evans scored the first run, and after Adam Frazier was hit by a pitch, a bases clearing double by Ke’Bryan Hayes made it 11-1.
The Indians made a game out of it in the seventh inning though, erupting for six runs, capped off by a grand slam from Hernandez, cutting the lead to just 11-7. A single by Rene Rivera, paired with a throwing error from Reynolds, scored three more runs in the eighth, and Cleveland closed the gap to 11-10. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, they were able to close the door in the ninth to secure the victory.
Well this was far from a perfect night for the Bucs, but they found a way to get a victory. The ten game losing streak is finally over, and now they have put themselves in a good position to come away with a series victory…something that has seemed impossible for the past couple of weeks.
The Indians and Pirates will take the field tomorrow in the second game of the weekend series tomorrow at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05pm.
Record vs. Indians: 1-0
Record vs. American League: 6-5
Record at Home: 14-19
Overall Record: 24-44
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
