Pittsburgh Pirates 12, Arizona Diamondbacks 1: Stars And Stiffs

May 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Pirates dominated the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night by a score of 12-1 to improve to 25-19 on the season.

At PNC Park on Tuesday night the Pittsburgh Pirates completely dominated the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Pirates racked up 12 runs on 17 hits en route to a 12-1 victory over the Diamondbacks.

The Pittsburgh Pirates got strong hitting, pitching, and defense on Tuesday night. All in all, this was one of the Pirates most complete and dominating victories of the season. Here are the Pirates three stars and stiffs from this game.

STARS

Right fielder Gregory Polanco – Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco put on a show on Tuesday night. On the night Polanco went 3-for-5 at the plate with a home run, a double, five RBI, and two runs scored. Polanco hit a three run home run in the first inning to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead, and the Bucs never looked back. 

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This was Polanco’s first career five RBI game and he continues to prove that he is a budding superstar. After Tuesday night’s showing Polanco owns a .307/.395/.546/.853 slash line on the season. Furthermore, Polanco has a .395 wOBA, 152 wRC+, and his 17 doubles are tops in the National League.

Gregory Polanco continued to show his growth against left-handed pitching on the season tonight as well. Polanco’s double came off of left-handed pitcher Andrew Chafin. With that double, Polanco now has a .909 OPS against left-handed pitching this season.

Second baseman Josh Harrison – Pirate second baseman Josh Harrison went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored on Tuesday night. After his stellar performance on Tuesday night Harrison’s slash line has risen to a healthy .314/.347/.415/.762 on the season.

Harrison also showed off his always strong defense on Tuesday night. To lead off the top of the seventh inning Josh Harrison ranged far to his left, and made a great diving stop to retire Arizona hitter Chris Owings. This play would prove to be critical as the Diamondbacks loaded the bases, but failed to score in the seventh inning.

Relief pitcher Jared Hughes – Right-handed Pirates reliever Jared Hughes only faced one batter in Tuesday night’s Bucco victory. However, this lone at bat that Hughes pitched in proved to be one of the most crucial of the entire game.

Jared Hughes took over for Francisco Liriano in the top of the sixth inning with the Pirates leading 6-1, but the Diamondbacks had the bases loaded with two outs. Jared Hughes threw one pitch, on that pitch Brandon Drury grounded out to shortstop Jordy Mercer, and the inning was over ending the Diamondback threat. Had Hughes not put the fire out there, this could have been a totally different game.

STIFFS

Relief pitcher Arquimedes Caminero – On Tuesday night, Arquimedes Caminero’s struggles continued. Caminero took over in the top of the seventh inning with the Pirates leading 9-1. However, he would not make things easy.

Caminero wound up pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the Pirates, but he was lucky to avoid giving up any runs. Caminero allowed three hits, he walked a batter, and he hit two batters in the head in his 1 2/3 innings pitched. After his hitting his second batter, Caminero was ejected.

Caminero stranded the bases loaded in the seventh inning, and the bases were loaded when he got ejected in the eighth. After tonight’s bad outing Caminero now has a 6.47 FIP, 5.93 xFIP, and is averaging 6.75 BB/9 this season.

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That will do it for tonight. The Pittsburgh Pirates only had one stiff tonight, as you may expect in a game that they won 12-1. Tomorrow, the Pittsburgh Pirates will give the ball to Jeff Locke as they look for a series victory.