PIRATES

Braxton Ashcraft put on a show for those who were on hand to watch him pitch here tonight at Globe Life Field. 

Ashcraft, who was born two hours away in Waco, Texas, dominated the team he grew up watching and helped lead the Pirates to an 8-4 win by tossing a career-high seven innings of two-run ball against the Rangers. 

"Everybody says it takes a village to raise people. It rings true with this more so than I've experienced anywhere else," Ashcraft said. "A lot of people messaged me saying they were going to be here in support, and it's cool to be able to go out and throw the ball well. Few hiccups there, but go out and throw the ball well and give us a chance to win. I put a lot of work in from a very young age, and a lot of the people that are here got to see that while I was a kid. Being able to see it come to fruition, and pitch in the big leagues against the team that I grew up watching and come out with a win here, it's really cool."

Ashcraft ended up allowing four hits, including a two-run home run to Josh Jung. He walked two batters, struck out five and threw 94 pitches, the most by a Pirates starter this season. Not only was Ashcraft able to provide a solid level of production over the course of a quality start, he also covered enough innings where the Pirates weren't forced to turn to many bullpen arms. Gregory Soto was used in the eighth inning and Dennis Santana came on in the ninth after the Pirates took the lead in the top half of the inning. 

"Regardless of anything, I think whenever your starter goes out there and gives you length, it really helps the bullpen in a lot of ways," Ashcraft said. "A couple extra-inning games here and there really taxes guys. I got to experience that last year. Whenever your starter goes up and gives you some length there and gives guys a little blow, it means a lot. And I hold that in very high regard. Take pride in giving myself an opportunity to go deep in games. Just trying to continue that through the rest of the season."