Pittsburgh Pirates: 4 Home Runs, Big Game From Alfonso Rivas, Leads to 8-4 Victory

Four home runs powered the Pittsburgh Pirates to an 8-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night

After being embarrassed by the Milwaukee Brewers 14-1 on Thursday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates responded with an 8-4 victory on Friday. With the win, the Pirates have evened the four-game series at a win each while improving to 49-60 on the season.

On a team with as many young players as the Pirates currently have there are going to be plenty of ups and downs. For as low as the downs of Thursday were, those highs were there for the Young Bucs on Friday.

Home runs power the Pirate offense

With two outs in the 1st inning Jack Suwinski walked and Henry Davis reached on an infield single. This brought Alfonso Rivas, who was making his second start with the Pirates, to the plate. Rivas proceeded to launch a 3-run home run, giving the Pirates a 3-0 lead.

In the 2nd inning the Pirate power surge continued. Following a Vinny Capra walk and a run-scoring Bryan Reynolds double, Henry Davis hit a 2-run home run. The 5th long ball of the season from Davis made the score 6-2 Bucs.

In the 6th inning the Pirate lead grew to 7-3 when Josh Palacios launched a solo home run. The lead grew to 8-3 when Reynolds got in on the solo home run action by hitting his 13th home run of the season.

The home runs were part of a big night for both Reynolds and Rivas. Reynolds finished 3-for-5 with his home run, a double, two RBI, and two runs scored. Rivas finished 3-or-5 with his home run, a triple, a run scored, and three RBI.

Quinn Priester struggles again, but limits damage

Making his 4th career start, Quinn Priester struggled once again. To be honest, he was lucky that things were not worse for him in the start. While this was his first career start in which he allowed less than 4 earned runs, it certainly could have been worse.

Priester allowed the first three Brewer batters of the game. To his credit, with the score 3-1 and runners on second and third with no one out, Priester only allowed one more run to keep the Pirates in front 3-2 after the 1st inning.

A single and two walked loaded the bases for the Brewers in the 4th inning. Priester then got a pop out, a strikeout looking (with a big assistance to the frame job by Endy Rodriguez), and a ground out to escape the jam.

After allowing a home run to Carlos Santana to start the 5th inning, Priester's day ended. In 4+ innings pitched, Priester allowed 3 runs on five hits, three walks, three strikeouts and a home run. Through his first four MLB starts Priester owns an 8.69 ERA, 7.24 FIP, and a 2.29 HR/9.

Bullpen gets the job done

Carmen Mldozinski ran into some troubles in the 7th inning. He allowed a hit and walked three, leading to him allowing a run. However, he also struck out a pair and was able to strand the bases loaded with the Pirates leading 8-4.

Yerry De Los Santos took over for Priester in the 5th inning. De Los Santos allowed a two-out single, but struck out a pair while retiring the other three batters he faced. Ryan Borucki allowed a hit and struck out a pair in a scoreless 6th inning.

Colin Holderman struck out a pair in a 1-2-3 8th inning. In the 9th inning it was renegade time. David Bednar continued his dominant season by retiring the Brewers in order, slamming the door shut in a Pirate victory.

Next up

Lefty Bailey Falter (5.13 ERA, 4.73 FIP) is set to make his Pirate debut on Saturday night. The Pirates will face a tall task as righty and former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes (3.44 ERA, 3.89 FIP) is slated to start for the Brewers. First pitch from Milwaukee is scheduled for 7:10 PM ET.