Final Score: Pirates 9 Padres 4
Why The Pirates Won: If you cannot keep Austen Hodges off the bases you are going to lose. He got 2 hits(not a misprint), a walk, and on base by catcher interference. This will probably be the last time in his career that he gets on base 4 times in one game. The Pirate bats woke up hitting 3 home runs, by Suwinski, Santana, and Gonzales, who also added a triple. Overall the Pirates had 15 hits for their most offensive game in at least a month. Rich Hill got knocked around for 4 runs, 9 hits but had his at them ball working and was able get through 6 innings. Roansy Contreras had some shaky moments, but managed to shut out the Padres over the last 3 innings. The Pirates win the first game of the series to improve to 36-42
Key Moment Of The Game: It was the bounce back 2nd inning, after the Padres scored 3 runs in the top of the inning. The Pirates had scored 2 runs and had runners on 1st and 3rd with one out. Josh Polacios hit a line drive to center but was not deep enough to score the runner from third base. It looked like the Pirates were up to their old tricks and going to strand the runner on third base. However, Andrew McCutchen got the key 2 out hit allowing the Pirates to tie the game. The next inning they led off with back to back homers and the Pirates were on their way.
Next Game: Tonight, Padres in Pittsburgh. A good start to the home stand but cannot get too excited yet. Keller against Blake Snell who has been pitching well lately. Last night was the best game the Pirates have played in a long time. Can they get on a roll? Only time will tell.
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 