In the Pirates' 7-1 victory Tuesday night over the Padres at PNC Park, Henry Davis collected two base hits, both going to the opposite field. In fact, 10 of the Pirates' 12 hits went to the opposite field.
Oneil Cruz's fifth inning two-run double slapped down the third base line was all the offense the team needed. After the game, Don Kelly praised Matt Hague, the assistant coaches and the players for acting on the approach the group has been discussing.
"It was really good to see the guys go up there and be stubborn in that approach and continue to grind through the game and get those opposite field base hits," said Kelly. "That's how we're going to score runs."
Nick Gonzales, who had himself a two-run single in the five-run eighth inning, went the other way as well and finished the game with his batting average at .297 and seven RBIs in nine games played thought the weather had something to do with all those opposite field hits.
"It was kind of hard to pull the ball sometimes," said Gonzales. "Sometimes that's the approach that we need, depending on the pitcher. I think we're all able to do that as a team. So, it puts us in a good spot."
What a difference a year makes. Last season, each game report was like writing an autopsy with how moribund the hitters ranking last in so many categories compared to ranking eighth in runs scored after tonight's game.
THE ASYLUM
Offense finding new ways to score
In the Pirates' 7-1 victory Tuesday night over the Padres at PNC Park, Henry Davis collected two base hits, both going to the opposite field. In fact, 10 of the Pirates' 12 hits went to the opposite field.
Oneil Cruz's fifth inning two-run double slapped down the third base line was all the offense the team needed. After the game, Don Kelly praised Matt Hague, the assistant coaches and the players for acting on the approach the group has been discussing.
"It was really good to see the guys go up there and be stubborn in that approach and continue to grind through the game and get those opposite field base hits," said Kelly. "That's how we're going to score runs."
Nick Gonzales, who had himself a two-run single in the five-run eighth inning, went the other way as well and finished the game with his batting average at .297 and seven RBIs in nine games played thought the weather had something to do with all those opposite field hits.
"It was kind of hard to pull the ball sometimes," said Gonzales. "Sometimes that's the approach that we need, depending on the pitcher. I think we're all able to do that as a team. So, it puts us in a good spot."
What a difference a year makes. Last season, each game report was like writing an autopsy with how moribund the hitters ranking last in so many categories compared to ranking eighth in runs scored after tonight's game.
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