PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates tied a couple of MLB records in a 17-7 blowout win over the Reds Saturday afternoon, into evening. In two games, the Bucs have scored 26 runs against first-place Cincinnati.
The Pirates drew walks to seven consecutive batters, that had only happened three other times including the Pirates doing that against Atlanta in 1983. They also tied the MLB record with every player in the starting lineup with at least one RBI.
“The offense was great,” said Pirates manager Don Kelly. “I thought we had great at-bats, continued to do the things we’ve talked about. Worked the count. Passed the baton. What was it, seven walks in a row there. Everyone was patient.”
Walk this way
After Oneil Cruz struck out looking in the second inning, the Reds walked seven consecutive batters (Brandon Lowe, Bryan Reynolds, Ryan O’Hearn, Nick Gonzales, Marcell Ozuna, Spencer Horwitz, Konnor Griffin). Rhett Lowder walked three and then Connor Phillips came in and walked the next four, all scoring runs. Henry Davis’ fielders choice drove in the fifth run in the inning.
“Just try not to do too much,” Griffin said. “Let the game predict what I’m going to do and know the situation. Try to be able to be a bit more selective there and just keep the bat rolling.”
In the Pirates second inning they scored five runs on no hits.
“I think sticking to the plan, being stingy to the plan, focus on your approach,” O’Hearn said. “If the other team's throwing balls, stay out of their way. A walk is as good as a hit. You get a couple guys on base, somebody gets a big hit and the offense is rolling. It's always fun. The dugout gets rowdy. Everyone's locked in. Fun to put a lot of points on the board. Hopefully we just keep this mojo going.”
Starting lineup
- Oneil Cruz 2-6, 2 runs, RBI
- Brandon Lowe 1-1, 3 runs, RBI, 4 walks
- Bryan Reynolds 2-3, 2B, 3 runs, RBI, 2 walks
- Ryan O’Hearn 2-4, 2B, 3 runs, 3 RBI, walk
- Nick Gonzales 2-5, run, 2 RBI, walk
- Marcell Ozuna 3-5, 2B, 3 runs, 3 RBI, walk
- Spencer Horwitz 2-5, 3 RBI, walk
- Konnor Griffin 4-5, 2B, 3B, run, 2 RBI, BB
- Henry Davis 0-6, RBI
Magic trick
Pirates starting pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski gave up three runs in the first two innings, then struck out six straight and seven of eight. Mlodzinski set a new MLB career-high with 10 strikeouts. It also tied a professional high, he had 10 last year with AAA Indianapolis.
“Pretty mentally exhausting game for me, honestly, just like the up-and-down, the sitting, the cold, but I think just kind of turned on a switch, and was just really wanted to do just whatever it would take to try to get through six innings, especially with the lead that we had,” Mlodzinski said. “It didn't really matter to me how many runs I was going to give up, it was just trying to cover some innings and save our bullpen to try to set us up for tomorrow.”
It’s also the first time a Pirates pitcher has struck out double figures this season (last time Paul Skenes 7-6-25 with 10).
“Carmen did a fantastic job, after a rough first time through the lineup,” Kelly said. “Really settled in. To pitch the way he did, 10 strikeouts, I thought he did unbelievable to settle in there and dominate the strike zone.”
Notes
- Pirates reliever Chris Devenski was thrown out of the game as the umpires deemed his first pitch of the 7th inning was intended to injure batter Sal Stewart, who was 0-3 at the time
“We had the situation lead up to it with (Devenski) stepping off the rubber and (Stewart) stepping out of the box,” explained crew chief Alan Porter to pool reporter Kevin Gorman of the Tribune-Review. “Still had time and stepped out. After that, (Devenski) stepped up and he fired the pitch and, we believe, threw it at him intentionally. That’s why we ejected him.”
“Going hard in to start an at bat, I know the guy likes to dive over, that’s about it,” Devenski explainned. “Just trying to execute my pitch there and I think he took it the wrong way. It is what it is. Hey, I’m not going to back down from anything either.”
- Reds pitchers combined to throw 211 pitches in 8 innings
- In the Pirates bullpen to start the season, pitcher Jose Urquidy started in AAA on Saturday with this line 3.2IP/12 hits/9 runs/8 earned runs/5 strikeouts/2 homers allowed
- 21-year-old shortstop Jhonny Severino hit a grand slam for High A Greensboro and now has 18 RBI in 22 games
Up Next
Pirates close out the homestand and series with the Reds with Braxton Ashcraft (1-2, 3.71 ERA) against RHP Chase Burns (3-1, 2.65 ERA) at 1:35p with Dan Zangrilli starting the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show at Noon on 93.7 The Fan.
Carmen Mlodzinski with career-high 10 K, everyone with RBI
Carmen Mlodzinski with career-high 10 K, everyone with RBI
