PIRATES

On a night where the Pirates were seeking a win to put an end to a four-game losing streak, the bottom four hitters in their batting order stepped up to spark a 15-hit effort in a 7-0 victory over the Cardinals tonight at Busch Stadium. 

Konnor Griffin was the catalyst with a four-hit night in which he scored a career-high three runs out of the No. 6 spot in the lineup. But Endy Rodriguez, Jhostynxon Garcia and Jake Mangum were just as important to the offensive success, contributing two hits apiece. The four combined to go 10 for 18 with two walks, two RBIs and five runs scored. 

Their efforts certainly helped deepen a lineup that also received notable contributions from the likes of Spencer Horwitz, Nick Gonzales and Bryan Reynolds. Horwitz put the Pirates ahead with a solo homer in the second, Gonzales drove in two runs in the latter stages of the win and Reynolds collected a two-run double in a four-run eighth inning. 

“It’s going to take everybody and we’ve got a really good team and a lot of depth," Griffin said. "Everybody is working their tail off to do their job when that time comes. We’ve got faith in everybody and it’s going to be a fun rest of the year.” 

With Ryan O'Hearn on the shelf, the Pirates are left without one of their leading offensive contributors, meaning that others will have to step up in his absence. Garcia showed tonight that he's worthy of an extended look, Mangum proved that he's capable of contributing more than he has and even Rodriguez has put together a few good games since being recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis to replace the injured Joey Bart. 

The Pirates would certainly benefit from all three of those guys being at their best when their number is called. But they'll benefit even more from Griffin providing more of this same value. 

With his four-hit performance here tonight, Griffin is now batting .343 with an .885 OPS, a home run, seven RBIs and 13 runs scored over 17 games in the month of May. His season batting average is up to .278 and he's hitting .414 over the course of a current seven-game hitting streak. 

“Just competing my tail off and trying to be a tough out at the plate," Griffin said. "Swinging at good pitches and trying to get on base. I can just be a little piece of this puzzle and get on base, and I have great guys to knock me in. It starts with our leadership with the older guys and it’s been super fun working behind the scenes trying to figure out how to become the best hitters we can be.”