Bucs Batter Birds, 10-6, To Take Series; J-Bell The Boss Again

Starling opened the festivities with a single off Dakota Hudson, and a Gregory rap followed an out later. J-Bell sent them both home with a two-bagger to right. Redbeard walked and the bases were juiced after Cervy ws plunked by an 0-2 fastball. A grounder brought home another tally before the fun stopped. But Steven Brault couldn't stand prosperity. A single, Goldy homer, walk, rocket out to the track, and hit-and-run knock made it 3-2 with Cards on the corners. A pop got him an out away from stranding them, but a wild pitch (Cervy had already nicely blocked two balls in the dirt) tied it up. Another single leapfrogged the Redbirds to the top of the scoreboard. That was followed by another hit and yet another by the pitcher (his first MLB hit) to load 'em before it mercifully ended. Hudson used six pitches to get three grounders in the second. A walk and long ball by Jose Martinez added to Brault's misery index. J-Bell and Cervy had raps in the third; K-Man singled with two gone but J-Bell was gunned down at home by Marcell Ozuna, who like Gregory is recovering from shoulder work in the offseason, but managed a strike. Steven had two outs and the pitcher 0-2; he bopped him, fortunately costing him just five pitches.

What a roll...2017 Topps National Game

Odd fourth; Cole walked and Brault swung away, with his attempt at a Baltimore Chop turning into  a 5-4-3 DP. Of course Starling then singled, and it ended up another zero. An infield bleeder and single put Redbirds at first and third with two outs. Montana DuRapau got the call and got a one-pitch bouncer to close the book. J-Bell singled with one gone and Cervy singled an out later to run the LOB count to seven after five frames. Montana tossed a clean frame. Tuck opened the sixth with a shot to center; it was gloved as it died at the track in straight center. Clint pinch hit w/Big Joe thx to a short bench, and a fly ended it. Chris Stratton got his first call as a Pirate, gave up a leadoff double and then settled down. Tyler Webb got the seventh inning nod and surrendered a walk and a HBP; John Brebbia was beckoned. J-Bell liked the call; he knotted the score with a long ball. A bloop double by Cervy and Melky walk gave the Bucs a two-out opp and Fraze took advantage, banging a double to chase them both home and flip the Bucs on top 8-6. Ric Rod was touched for an infield single with two gone, but no damage was done.

Giovanny Gallegos worked the eighth. Gregory singled with an out, and after a wild pitch, J-Bell was free-passed to the open sack. Redbeard lofted a double to right, shipping home two more runs before the round ended. Frankie Liriano took the ball and gave up a leadoff walk, then got it together to set down the Cards without a response. Luke Gregerson was waved in for the ninth and walked Frankie, then quickly regained his senses. Fortunately Francisco was forced out, so he didn't wear himself out. After a K and a long at-bat that ended in a fly out (actually a home run ball that Bryan Reynold pulled back and stole from Martinez), Yadi singled, but Frankie had another out left in him and tucked the Redbirds in for the day. Raise the Roger.

Frankie nails it down (image MLB)

Clint juggles guys in ways that defy baseball logic, but even with the injuries, a short bench, an overworked, sometimes outmatched staff and aggressive pushing of a so-so running team, it's mostly been working lately. And geez, have Starling, Gregory & J-Bell become an offensive engine. Raise your hand if you had the Pirates opening their road journey by taking 3-of-4 from the Cards, especially after that opening game debacle. Laissez les bon temps rouler and on to Arizona...

Notes:

• Today was J-Bell's first career five RBI day and his fifth four-hit game. Cervy finally got a couple to drop, with three hits; Starling and Gregory had a pair of raps. The Bucs went 5-for-12 w/RISP.
• The Pirates are percentage points ahead of the Cards for third in the NL Central and still three games behind the Cubs, who are equally on fire and have won 8-of-10.
• Chris Stratton has to like his change of address so far: one game, one inning, one win.
• 10 runs is the most the Pirates have scored in a game this year; seven was their previous high water mark. It's the first time Pittsburgh has put up a 10-spot since August 10th of last year.
• The Pirates have thrown 93 first-inning pitches (30-30-33) in the past three games; this is the first outing that it's cost them runs.
• Guess Bucs-Cards means something (or maybe Mothers Day): the announced crowd of 48,555 was the largest in Busch Stadium III's history.