CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
The Pirates started off their first of four games against the Florida Marlins about as well as they could, winning 7-1. Strong outings by James McDonald gave the Pirates the defense needed to win, but it was the offense that put the Pirates over the top in tonight’s win.
James McDonald got his second win of the season pitching seven innings and giving up a lone run on three hits. The strong performance is a refreshing on a team that ranks at the bottom in nearly every major category. McDonald was in control of the game most of the night, striking out six while walking only two, and faced no more than five batters in any one inning.
And while McDonald gave the Pirates every chance to win it was the offense from the very on start of the game that hammered home the win tonight.
The Pirates scored early, putting up two runs off of a sacrifice fly and RBI single in the first inning.
Later in the sixth the Pirates blew open the game by scoring four runs to give themselves a 6-1 lead. Marlin starter Chris Volstad loaded the base before being pulled for reliever Taylor Tankersley.
Tankersley had trouble working out of the no-out jam allowing two runs to score on a RBI double by Garrett Jones. Two more runs would score in the inning on Pedro Alvarez RBI single to left field.
Jones and Alvarez would both finish with three RBI apiece.
Andrew McCutchen would home in the seventh inning to round out the night giving the Bucs a 7-1 win.
The Pirates are now 27-30 at home. As compared to their away record, 13-48, they are a completely different team when playing at PNC. The Pirates continue the four game series tomorrow evening.
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