Seven-game slump broken in Miami
Moran, Reynolds lead way in offensive romp
Pirates sluggers light up Marlins, 11-0
MIAMI — It had been more than week since the Pirates had won a game. It was even longer since they pitched a shutout.
They accomplished both Friday night in an 11-0 victory against the Miami Marlins. It was the fourth shutout of the season and the first since April 5.
The 11-run margin tied the Pirates record for the largest in a shutout.
The fireworks set off by the Pirates offense in the past month were present again.
The Pirates entered the game averaging 5.6 runs per game in their previous 22 games, third in the National League for that period.
Third baseman Colin Moran got the party started in the fourth inning with the first of his three hits in the game. He drove in Starling Marte with a single off Marlins starter Trevor Richards to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.
The Pirates only had two baserunners get past first in the first three innings, although Bryan Reynolds delivered a firstinning double.
Reynolds wound up with four hits in the game.
That’s just the latest reason why it becomes harder to fathom a lineup without Reynolds as an outfield regular.
“It’s been fun to continue to watch him professionally take his at-bats,” manager Clint Hurdle said.
“He has shown the ability to play all three outfield positions.
“Been a great addition to our club. He can hit.”
Reynolds played right field, and Corey Dickerson played left Friday night with Marte in center. Each outfielder played a key role in the 18-hit attack.
Steven Brault had another strong outing with six scoreless innings. Brault also got involved with the offense starting with a one-out double in the fifth. Kevin Newman hit a double to score Brault. Newman’s double pushed his hitting streak to seven games, and he is hitting .387 in that span.
And let’s not forget, Josh Bell, who
tripled in a run for his 63rd RBI this season. With that RBI, he surpassed his 2018 total. It only took Bell 68 games to beat his 2018 total, which he amassed in 148 games.
Brault tied his career high with six strikeouts and worked out of a few jams. Trevor Richards and Austin Dean hit two-out singles off Brault in the fourth inning. Brault struck out Greg Cooper to strand Richards and Dean.
Brault also struck out Greg Alfaro in the third inning with the bases loaded after Moran made a throwing error to extend the inning.
The high fastball to Alfaro was Brault at his best.
“I’ve always pitched off my high fastball,” Brault said. “Big guys with big swings have a harder time hitting the fastball up. No reason to go fastball down because it gives them a better chance to hit it.”
Moran made up for the error with a three-run home run off of reliever Jeff Brigham in the seventh inning. Reynolds hit a double to start the inning, and Marte moved him to third with a lineout.
“I’ve been feeling comfortable at the plate,” said Moran, who finished with a career high five RBIs.
“We have a lot of guys that get on base and it’s been fun to hit in the five-hole. It’s pretty nice when you have guys in scoring position with a chance to drive them in.”
Brigham intentionally walked Bell before Moran drove the ball over the leftcenter field wall to boost the Pirates lead to a comfortable 8-0.
Jose Osuna hit a monstrous two-run home run in the eighth inning that bounced off the Budweiser Party Deck in Marlins Park as part of a three-run uprising that widened the lead to 11-0.
Michael Feliz, Clay Holmes and Richard Rodriguez pitched clean innings in the seventh, eighth and ninth frames. Rodriguez posted the final out.
It’s been a long time since the Pirates had so many elements of a game go their way. Brault did his job well, the offense did theirs, and the bullpen finished it off.
The Pirates needed a relaxed day with no rain delays, no injuries, or hit batters.
At last, it happened. Then, they broke a seven-game losing streak, which was the most important thing of all.