Thirty runs in a sweep ... where'd that come from?
The Pirates' 12-1 win over the Mets today at PNC Park capped off a three-game sweep and one of the best offensive performances over a three-game series in the franchise's history.
Consider this:
• The Pirates' +26 run differential this weekend was the highest in any three-game series for the franchise since 1975. It's also tied for the fourth-best in club history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
• It's the first time they've scored nine or more runs in every game of a series of three or more since Aug. 30-Sept. 1, 1999, against the Rockies.
• They had 40 hits, which they haven't accomplished in a series since May 30-June 1, 2019, against the Brewers. They recorded 49 hits in that four-game series.
Today and Friday, the Pirates hit home runs and doubles to the gaps while drawing seven walks. Yesterday, 11 of their 12 hits were singles, but they hit five straight in the second inning to score three runs. They added six in the eighth by mixing four walks with four hits.
"As a team, we’ll try to do too much at times in spots. Especially if we’ve had a game or two where we’re kinda not getting things going," Ke'Bryan Hayes said. "But I think whenever we’re able to bring it back, just work pitch-to-pitch, at-bat to at-bat and then kinda just keep it going. I think yesterday, we had like five singles in a row. Those types of things kill pitchers whenever you’re able to keep guys on base."
It also helps when everyone in the lineup is producing. Bryan Reynolds has been his normal self since returning from paternity leave on June 21. He was 5 for 14 with three doubles, two home runs and six RBIs.
Hayes extended his eight-game hitting streak with a 3-for-5 day, two doubles and two RBIs. He finished the weekend 7 for 13 with three doubles. Tommy Pham went 3 for 8 with a home run and four RBIs.
Oneil Cruz is also back to doing this:
"We've been talking about the lineup, lengthening it out, having good at-bats throughout," Don Kelly said. "I think today was another good example of that. Passing that baton, moving the lineup down and we mixed in some home runs too, some doubles. The guys are sticking to the approach, staying within and doing a great job offensively."
The Pirates are still one of Major League Baseball's worst offenses. They are ranked 29th in home runs (60), 28th in RBIs (287), fourth in strikeouts (744), 29th in slugging percentage (.347) and 29th in OPS (.654). They are still in the bottom 10 in batting average (.234), on-base percentage (.307) and runs scored (297). But a weekend like this, against a team with a $300 million payroll, can be encouraging.
"It always feels good to win a series against any team," Cruz said with his signature smile. "But, when it's a sweep, it feels really good."
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
11:20 pm - 06.29.2025NORTH SHOREThirty runs in a sweep ... where'd that come from?
The Pirates' 12-1 win over the Mets today at PNC Park capped off a three-game sweep and one of the best offensive performances over a three-game series in the franchise's history.
Consider this:
• The Pirates' +26 run differential this weekend was the highest in any three-game series for the franchise since 1975. It's also tied for the fourth-best in club history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
• It's the first time they've scored nine or more runs in every game of a series of three or more since Aug. 30-Sept. 1, 1999, against the Rockies.
• They had 40 hits, which they haven't accomplished in a series since May 30-June 1, 2019, against the Brewers. They recorded 49 hits in that four-game series.
Today and Friday, the Pirates hit home runs and doubles to the gaps while drawing seven walks. Yesterday, 11 of their 12 hits were singles, but they hit five straight in the second inning to score three runs. They added six in the eighth by mixing four walks with four hits.
"As a team, we’ll try to do too much at times in spots. Especially if we’ve had a game or two where we’re kinda not getting things going," Ke'Bryan Hayes said. "But I think whenever we’re able to bring it back, just work pitch-to-pitch, at-bat to at-bat and then kinda just keep it going. I think yesterday, we had like five singles in a row. Those types of things kill pitchers whenever you’re able to keep guys on base."
It also helps when everyone in the lineup is producing. Bryan Reynolds has been his normal self since returning from paternity leave on June 21. He was 5 for 14 with three doubles, two home runs and six RBIs.
Hayes extended his eight-game hitting streak with a 3-for-5 day, two doubles and two RBIs. He finished the weekend 7 for 13 with three doubles. Tommy Pham went 3 for 8 with a home run and four RBIs.
Oneil Cruz is also back to doing this:
"We've been talking about the lineup, lengthening it out, having good at-bats throughout," Don Kelly said. "I think today was another good example of that. Passing that baton, moving the lineup down and we mixed in some home runs too, some doubles. The guys are sticking to the approach, staying within and doing a great job offensively."
The Pirates are still one of Major League Baseball's worst offenses. They are ranked 29th in home runs (60), 28th in RBIs (287), fourth in strikeouts (744), 29th in slugging percentage (.347) and 29th in OPS (.654). They are still in the bottom 10 in batting average (.234), on-base percentage (.307) and runs scored (297). But a weekend like this, against a team with a $300 million payroll, can be encouraging.
"It always feels good to win a series against any team," Cruz said with his signature smile. "But, when it's a sweep, it feels really good."
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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