The Pittsburgh Pirates Top 5 Home Runs of 2015

2) Pedro Alvarez vs Colorado Rockies – September 24, 2015 

In what seems like a pattern for these games, this was another case of the Pirates’ bullpen keeping the game where it was until the offense could strike.

After the Pirates got on the board first, Jeff Locke gave the lead back in the third inning and when the Pirates tied the game, Locke gave the lead back in the very next inning. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, the friendly confines of Coors Field make any deficit easy to overcome.

More from Rum Bunter

• Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect Stockwatch: Outfielder Tres Gonzalez
• Pittsburgh Pirates Podcast: Rum Bunter Radio Talks Winter Meetings Fallout
• Pittsburgh Pirates: Potential Leadoff Hitters in 2023
• Pittsburgh Pirates: The Rotation is not being Improved
• Pittsburgh Pirates Make Vince Velasquez Signing Official

After the Rockies left two runners on in the bottom of the 7th, manager Walt Weiss sent Jairo Diaz to the mound in the 8th, tasked with holding Colorado’s two-run lead.

Diaz got Andrew McCutchen to ground out on the first pitch, but Marte and Neil Walker both reached with consecutive singles. After Jordy Mercer struck out, the Pirates were in danger of leaving the tying runs on the basepaths when Pedro Alvarez came to the plate.

That ball came right to Pedro’s sweet spot and he turned it around quickly, raising the team’s win probability from 14% to 69%. Without a doubt, fans are going to miss the home run stroke that made two appearances on this list. He had shortcomings in other areas of the game but this list can show you just how valuable his home runs have been.

The Pirates would be able to close the door on this game for their 6th straight win while Mark Melancon notched his 50th save. Pedro Alvarez would go on to hit one more home run as a Pirate, but this was one of the most clutch home runs, not only of the season but of his career.