The Pittsburgh Pirates earned a series split with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday afternoon
The Pittsburgh Pirates are now 22-26 this season. This comes after walloping the Atlanta Braves by a score of 9-4 on Thursday afternoon. With the victory, the Pirates split their 4 game series against the Braves at Suntrust Park.
This series is one the Pittsburgh Pirates easily could have won. For a variety of different reasons, the Pirates should have been victorious on Tuesday night. However, they lost in extra innings. That said, it was very encouraging to see them bounce back with back-to-back wins to capture a series split.
In the top of the 2nd inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates blew this game wide open and never looked back.
David Freese and Francisco Cervelli hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. With 1 out, Jordy Mercer recorded a RBI single to make it 1-0 Pirates. This was followed by a Gift Ngoepe infield hit to make it 2-0.
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After an Ivan Nova sacrifice bunt, Adam Frazier stepped to the plate with 2 outs and a pair of runners on base. Frazier, who started in center field on Thursday, proceeded to launch his second 3-run home run in as many days. This made it 5-0 Pirates after 2 innings of play.
The Bucs would add to their lead in the top of the 5th inning. With 1 out Francisco Cervelli doubled and Jose Osuna walked. Jordy Mercer then hit a 2-run double to make it 7-0 Pirates. This continued Mercer recent hot streak as he is 9-for-17 with 2 home runs, a double, a walk, and 6 RBI the past 4 games.
Josh Harrison singled with 1 out in the top of the 9th inning. This was followed by a Josh Bell double, and an intentional walk to David Freese. This loaded the bases with 1 out for Francisco Cervelli.
Cervelli would collect a base hit that plated a pair of runs to make it 9-2 Pirates. The Pirate backstop enjoyed a career day going 4-for-5 with a double and 2 RBI.
Ivan Nova started for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was in control throughout the afternoon. In 8 1/3 innings pitched he allowed 4 runs on 10 hits, 2 walks, and a strikeout. However, 1 of the runs Nova allowed was an inherited runner that Jhan Marinez allowed to score in the bottom of the 9th inning.
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Next up for the Pirates is a 3 game weekend series back home at PNC Park against the New York Mets. Game 1 is scheduled for 7:05 PM on Friday night. Chad Kuhl is scheduled to start for the Pirates, while the Mets plan to go with Zach Wheeler.
The Pirates enter this series playing their best baseball of the season. They have won or split 4 consecutive series, and are 8-4 in their past 12 games.