PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In the first inning Braxton Ashcraft threw 11 of 12 pitches for strikes and got five runs of support as the Pirates cruise to a 12-1 win over the Cubs Tuesday night at PNC Park.
"They have a good team," said Pirates manager Don Kelly. "For us, it’s making sure that we come in and dominate what we have to every single day and focus on our clubhouse. I’m just proud of the guys and how we’re able to come in off the road trip, bounce back there Sunday in Toronto and come back to PNC and play well yesterday and win two different types of ballgames. Every single day we need to come in and prepare like that, go out and compete and have good at-bats. Starting pitching has been the foundation and continue to plow through.”
It’s not only the 10th straight loss for the Cubs, but Chicago, once well out in front in the NL Central, is tied with the Pirates at 29-26.
Ashcraft has pitched seventh inning in each of his starts in May. On Tuesday, 6.1 innings, 7 hits, run, walk, 2 hit batters, 5 strikeouts. In total this month, 34.2 innings, 28 hits, 7 runs, 4 hit batters, 5 walks and 31 strikeouts. He’s thrown 451 pitches-333 strikes.
“Really good stuff," Kelly said. "Got ahead. Really efficient pitch-count wise. Threw the ball extremely well. Velo was really good. It was up a little bit, it seemed today. The slider, curveball, he had it working.”
He is just an inning from matching his MLB total from all of last year (26 appearances, 8 starts, 69.1 innings).
5-run 1st
His first time hitting leadoff in the majors, Konnor Griffin walked on four pitches to start the bottom of the first. While he didn’t steal, his read on a soft liner by Brandon Lowe to center allowed him to get to third base and, on the throw, to third, Lowe got to second. Bryan Reynolds drove him home on a two-strike liner in the left field corner.
Reynolds would score on an Oneil Cruz ground ball the other way. Cruz would score on the first PNC Park home run by Esmerlyn Valdez, 415 feet into the bullpen to make it 5-0. Valdez had his Mom, Dad and three brothers at the game.
"Unforgettable moment, for sure, with my family here. The opportunity the Pirates have given me to be in this position, and most important we won a game as well as a team."
Notes
- 3 Pirates drove in multiple runs—Reynolds, Valdez and Spencer Horwitz
- All Pirates scored at least once except Marcell Ozuna and Henry Davis
- Greensboro High A outfielder Jhonny Severino hit his second grand slam in a week, his 9th of the season and now 35 RBIs
- Greensboro RHP Kyle Robinson gave up 5 runs on 4 home runs. He came over in Alika Williams trade.
Up Next
Former Pirates starter Jameson Taillon (2-4, 5.20 ERA) against RHP Bubba Chandler (1-6, 4.60 ERA) at 6:40p with Dan Zangrilli hosting the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show at 5:45p on 93.7 The Fan.
Pirates tie Cubs at 29-26 with 12-1 win
Pirates tie Cubs at 29-26 with 12-1 win
