Pittsburgh Pirates routs Minnesota Twins 9-3
Game Summary
Pittsburgh Pirates topped Minnesota Twins 9-3. A comfortable 6-run margin reflected Pittsburgh Pirates's steady command of the game.
The turning point came in the bottom of the 5th. Pittsburgh Pirates pushed across 5 runs to seize control of the game.
Key Players
Brooks Lee led Minnesota Twins's offense, going 2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI. Minnesota Twins reliever Mike Paredes threw 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 K and anchored the pitching staff.
Nick Gonzales led Pittsburgh Pirates's offense, going 1-for-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI. Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Cam Sanders threw 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 K and anchored the pitching staff.
Pitching Report
Minnesota Twins starter Zebby Matthews: 4.1 IP, 6 H, 7 ER, 7 K, 2 BB (100 pitches). Failed to complete five innings, leaving extra burden on the bullpen. 2 HR allowed is a troubling rate of long-ball damage. Bullpen: 3.7 IP, 1 ER, 3 K (ERA 2.45).
Pittsburgh Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 11 K, 0 BB (80 pitches). Quality start. K/IP of 1.83 reflects dominant strikeout stuff. Bullpen: 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 K (ERA 3.00).
Hitting Analysis
Minnesota Twins: 4 H, 3 RBI (team AVG 0.138). Includes 2 HR.
Multi-hit games: Brooks Lee (2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI).
Cleanup cold: Kody Clemens (0-for-4), Trevor Larnach (0-for-4). The silence from the heart of the order proved costly.
Pittsburgh Pirates: 8 H, 9 RBI (team AVG 0.286). 3 extra-base hits (2 HR) — impressive power display. Drew 4 walks, boosting on-base production.
Multi-hit games: Ryan O'Hearn (2-for-4, 1 HR).