With offensive catalysts such as Ryan O'Hearn and Brandon Lowe getting a day out of the lineup, the Pirates needed some other bats to step up and provide some support for the staff ace.
Oneil Cruz delivered with one swing of the bat against Andrew Abbott in the first inning ...
HOME RUN: Oneil Cruz mashes lefties now, you guys. Three-run shot off Andrew Abbott. A 2-1 curveball that he didn't miss. Third homer in two days. Pirates, 3-0 -- From José Negron in Cincinnatipic.twitter.com/pGs8BXTS29
... and Bryan Reynolds provided some much-needed insurance in the ninth to help close the door on the Pirates' 8-3 win over the Reds here at Great American Ball Park:
HOME RUN: How about some more insurance? Bryan Reynolds homers for a second straight game. Two-run shot that traveled 413 feet to right. Pirates, 8-3 -- From José Negron in Cincinnatipic.twitter.com/14v7MgfoJP
Both have now homered in back-to-back games. Cruz has three homers, including two against left-handed pitchers, during a span that followed rough starts to the year for two of the team's most important contributors. Since going a collective 0 for 8 with three strikeouts in the series opener, Cruz and Reynolds combined to go 8 for 18 with five homers, nine RBIs and eight runs scored over these last two games. They helped account for half of the Pirates' run production (16) after being shut out in game one.
"We’re gonna need everybody," DonKelly said. "Today, to see O’Hearn and Lowe not in there and other guys step up to carry it, we had good at-bats."
THE ASYLUM
Cruz, Reynolds step up again
With offensive catalysts such as Ryan O'Hearn and Brandon Lowe getting a day out of the lineup, the Pirates needed some other bats to step up and provide some support for the staff ace.
Oneil Cruz delivered with one swing of the bat against Andrew Abbott in the first inning ...
... and Bryan Reynolds provided some much-needed insurance in the ninth to help close the door on the Pirates' 8-3 win over the Reds here at Great American Ball Park:
Both have now homered in back-to-back games. Cruz has three homers, including two against left-handed pitchers, during a span that followed rough starts to the year for two of the team's most important contributors. Since going a collective 0 for 8 with three strikeouts in the series opener, Cruz and Reynolds combined to go 8 for 18 with five homers, nine RBIs and eight runs scored over these last two games. They helped account for half of the Pirates' run production (16) after being shut out in game one.
"We’re gonna need everybody," Don Kelly said. "Today, to see O’Hearn and Lowe not in there and other guys step up to carry it, we had good at-bats."
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