The Pittsburgh Pirates scored five first-inning runs, its most of the season however they were only getting started in a 11-0 win against the Chicago White Sox.
The five runs represent the most scored in the first inning since August 11, 2014. It also tied a season high for runs scored matching the 11 runs scored against San Diego May 28.
“It was just a good all-around team effort tonight off the mound especially tonight,” manager Clint Hurdle said.
In the five-run first, Andrew McCutchen singled to left, Jung Ho Kang added a single, Francisco Cervelli added his first triple of the season and Jose Tabata contributed a single of his own to conclude the scoring for the inning. The first six Pirates all reached base.
A Josh Harrison single resulted in the two runs scored in the fourth inning. Jordy Mercer doubled to lead off the inning and Sean Rodriguez hit a ground ball that advanced him to third base. The hit also knocked Carlos Rodon [2-1] out of the game after 3.2 innings and 69 pitches.
Daniel Webb came in for Rodon and Marte greeted him with a single. Harrison had stolen second base prior to the hit and Marte ended up on second base due to an error.
An inning later another Pirate run crossed home plate. Hector Noesi was the new White Sox pitcher and both Kang and Cervelli walked. Mercer hit an opposite field double that allowed Kang to score.
A three-run sixth soon followed. Harrison hit a one-out single and Marte hit a double to the opposite field. An error allowed both runners to score. McCutchen then added another double and Kang found a hole with his RBI double.
This was more than enough for Francisco Liriano who allowed two hits and walked one batter in eight innings. His 12 strikeouts tied a season high. Liriano threw 100 pitches, 69 of which were for strikes. His ERA for the season dropped from 3.25 to 2.94.
“I try to do my game plan and worry about the hitters,” said Liriano. “What happened tonight, I try to move forward and try to go as deep as I can.”
Liriano credited the being able to throw a fastball for a strike as a reason for success in his recent starts.
“Frank went after them in a couple of ways,” said Hurdle. “All three pitches had really good command and his pitch efficiency was good. He was just very aggressive throwing strikes. It was fun to watch Frank out there and we finally scored him some runs and gave him some room to work.”
Rob Scahill pitched the ninth inning and the Pirates secured their 10th win of the month. It took until May 25 for the Pirates to win their 10th game last month.
Coming into this game, the Pirates pitching staff had posted a 0.43 ERA in the past four games. It was 15-3 with a 2.12 ERA since May 22 and it’s 2.94 ERA among the starters led all of baseball.
Each of the Pirates starting position players had a hit and the team had 18 total for the game. Harrison reached base five times with four hits on the evening.
“When you get guys on base and you continue to push runs across the board it does become contagious,” Harrison said. “It feels like today everyone got a little piece of it and it was fun.”
The Pirates will look to defend their home field and win both games of the four-game set that will be played in Pittsburgh. Charlie Morton [4-0 2.05 ERA] will face Jose Quintana [3-6 4.00 ERA]. Neither starter has faced the opposing team before.
