The youth movement appears to be paying off for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mired in a long offensive slump, Pittsburgh has called up a few players from AAA Indianapolis to restart the offense. Through two games against the San Diego Padres, it has appeared to do the trick. The offense came to life again on Wednesday night to give the Pirates a 7-1 victory.
Pittsburgh started the scoring in the first inning when Carlos Santana hit a 440 ft. two run home run to left center. San Diego would not answer until the sixth when Xander Bogaerts hit an RBI single to right center. The Pirates then used a five run seventh inning to put this game away.
Josh Palacios singled to right center to bring home Nick Gonzales. A Conner Joe single to center would plate Jared Triolo and Jack Suwinski. The final two runs of the night would cross the plate when Henry Davis drove in Joe and Palacios on a single to right center.
Though his high pitch count factored into a him leaving after six innings, Mitch Keller had another strong start. He would allow one run on four hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Carmen Mlodzinski replaced him the seventh, where he would strikeout two and allow one hit. Terry De Los Santos threw a scoreless eighth, before Cody Bolton allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out one to finish off the ninth.
Blake Snell started for the Padres and worked six innings. He would strikeout ten, walk two and allow two runs on three hits. His replacement, Nick Martinez, would not collect an out while giving up five runs on four hits with a walk. Luis Garcia struck out one and allowed a hit in the seventh. The eighth belonged to Ray Kerr who would give up one hit.
This win gave Pittsburgh their first series win since taking two of three from the New York Mets earlier this month. Youth has certainly given this ballclub a lift these past couple days and they will look to do it again Thursday afternoon at 12:35pm in the finale. Former Bucco Joe Musgrove will start for San Diego, the Pirates will go with Luis Ortiz.
Record vs. Padres: 2-0
Record vs. N.L. West: 11-6
Record at Home: 20-19
Overall Record: 37-42
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
