Connect with us

Pirates

Bryan Reynolds, JT Brubaker Help Pirates Beat Red Sox 8-2, End 6-Game Losing Streak

Published

on

bryan reynolds, pittsburgh pirates

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates emphatically ended their six-game losing streak Thursday night.

Bryan Reynolds hit a pair of two-run home runs and JT Brubaker was dazzling for seven shutout innings as the Pirates rolled to an 8-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox at PNC Park to salvage the finale of a three-game series.

The Pirates (46-72) had also lost eight of their previous nine games and 10 of 12.

Both of Reynolds’ home runs came off rookie Josh Winckowski and landed in the right-field stands. The first came in the first inning to open the scoring and the second came in the fifth inning and pushed the Pirates’ lead to 6-0.

Brubaker allowed just two hits, singles by Alex Verdugo in the second inning and Xander Bogaerts in the sixth. The right-hander struck out seven, did not have any walks and hit a batter.

Nick Kingham was the last Pirates pitcher to work at least seven innings, allow two or fewer hits and no walks and have at least seven strikeouts. Kingham did it in his major league debut April 29, 2018 against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park.

Brubaker (3-10) won for the first time since June 30. He was 0-3 with a 4.88 ERA in his previous six starts.

Reynolds had the third multi-homer game of his career and second this season. He leads the Pirates with 20 longballs in 2022 and his second homer was the 3,000th hit at PNC Park since it opened in 2001.

Twelve of Reynolds’ homers have given the Pirates a lead this season, including 11 of his last 14 since June 1.

Reynolds finished with three hits and four RBIs. Kevin Newman also had three hits for the Pirates.

After Reynolds’ first homer got the Pirates started, Ben Gamel’s two-run double to the fence in left field in the third inning pushed the lead to 4-0.

The Pirates added two runs in the sixth to make it 8-0. Pinch-hitter Michael Chavis hit an RBI double and scored on Tyler Heineman’s single.

The Red Sox finally broke through with two runs in the eighth inning off Zach Thompson, making his first relief appearance since being removed from the starting rotation. Tommy Pham hit an RBI infield single with the bases loaded and Rafael Devers followed with a sacrifice fly.

The Red Sox left the bases loaded, though, when Manny Banuelos struck out Verdugo to end the inning and preserve the 8-2 lead.

Winckowski (5-6) was tagged for six runs in five innings after winning his previous three starts.

The Pirates and Cincinnati Reds open a three-game series at 7:05 p.m. Friday at PNC Park. Bryse Wilson (2-7, 5.93) is scheduled to pitch for the Pirates against rookie Graham Ashcraft (5-3, 3.96).

Wilson is 1-3 in his last six starts despite a respectable 3.98 ERA. In his past eight starts, Ashcraft is 1-2 with a 4.60 ERA.

Copyright © 2021 Pittsburgh Baseball Network and Pittsburgh Sports Now. All rights reserved. In no way endorsed by the Pittsburgh Pirates or Major League Baseball.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (PA/IL) or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN only) or 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA only) or 1-800-522-4700 (CO Only) or TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789.