Bats show signs of rousing from season-long slumber
Polanco in a groove as Pirates rout Brewers
Gregory Polanco’s struggles have been impossible to ignore. Entering Saturday, the Pirates outfielder was hitting just .085 with 24 strikeouts in 47 at-bats, an absurdly high rate.
While teammates have insisted that Polanco has been putting in the work and his smile has remained, the results have been non-existent.
It actually has been similar to the Pirates offense as a whole.
Manager Derek Shelton has talked in recent days about maintaining a positive approach, believing the results — specifically the runs and wins — will come. The Pirates simply need to keep chipping
away.
Facing the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday at PNC Park, Polanco, Shelton and a few other Pirates hitters made those predictions look like more than smoke with an offensive onslaught that led to a 12-5 rout.
In winning consecutive games — and a series — for the first time this season, the Pirates got eight extra-base hits, including three home runs. Over their past two games, they now have totaled 28 hits and 19 runs.
“A win is always fun,” Polanco said. “You know, you get two wins in a row, that’s a good sign. We’re going to keep working. We’re gonna stay hungry. That’s our mentality right now. We’re going to stay hungry , and we’re going to fight through the season no matter what.”
Strong offensive performances came from several different places Saturday, as the Pirates improved to 6-17. Adam Frazier, batting in the No. 2 spot, had a home run, three hits and three RBIs. Colin Moran smacked three doubles. Bryan Reynolds, Polanco and Jacob Stallings had two hits apiece, the catcher belting his first home run of the season.
As encouraging as all of that was, it’s hard to look at the game Saturday and not focus on Polanco, who has become a polarizing figure in Pittsburgh.
After a loss Wednesday to the Indians, many fans wanted Polanco cut, traded, designated for assignment or forced to live in Cleveland. He had one hit in his previous 20 at-bats and struck out in 10 of those.
It looked as if Polanco needed a break, a miracle or maybe both.
Meanwhile, Shelton continued to back Polanco publicly and privately. The conversations, Shelton explained, are ongoing with several players, but there was seemingly an added weight to those with Polanco.
In the cages, Polanco said he appreciated the pats on the back he received from hitting coach Rick Eckstein, who also continued to preach positivity.
“I’ve been trying to stay positive,” Polanco said. “Every day I go to the cage, and Rick helps me a lot. Like, ‘Hey, think like an MVP. Think like a winner.
Think like you’re the best.’ That’s how you get out of a slump, you know?”
In addition to his home run, Polanco also doubled, the two balls exceeding 105 mph in exit velocity. For his home run, Polanco crushed a hanging curveball from Brewers starter Josh Lindblom, the 434-foot, two-run shot giving the Pirates a 3-1 lead.
“He’s been working real hard the past few days,” Frazier said. “It showed up in the game [Saturday]. I know he’s happy about it. We’re happy about it. Happy for him. Hopefully we can start feeding off of each other and keep the ball rolling.”
The funny thing about the Pirates offense, specifically Polanco, is that its struggles have morphed from physical to mental.
Nobody has discovered some sort of mechanical flaw in their swing. Players are simply underperforming and reminding themselves of that on a daily basis. The abysmal record hasn’t helped.
But the past few games seem to indicate the Pirates are close to breaking out.