Disastrous Seventh Inning Sinks Pirates, Lose to Braves 10-4

A Marcell Ozuna leadoff double and a William Contreras walk started the disastrous seventh inning for the Pirates. Adam Duvall beat out a would-be double play after review, and the Atlanta Braves were set up with runners on the corners and one out.

When the dust settled, the Braves scored eight runs and even had a grand slam by Ozzie Albies, giving the Braves a 10-4 lead. The Braves beat your Pirates 10-4 and secured the series win with a game to spare.

Zach Thompson had a tremendous game against the Braves. Although the game started off with two solo home runs from the Braves, Thompson settled down and found his groove; in fact, after the second home run, Thompson allowed just one hit afterward.

Thompson threw 67 pitches Saturday evening and induced 11 swings and misses from the Braves. Thompson favored his cutter 37% of the time but got all 11 whiffs using his four-seam (five) and curveball (six). Poise and composure would be the two biggest words for Thompson Saturday.

Thompson’s final line read five innings pitched, three hits, two earned runs, one walk, and four strikeouts. Thompson threw around 64% of the time.

In the top of the first, the Pirates hit two home runs thanks to Reynolds’ ninth and Daniel Vogelbach’s seventh homers of the season. The Pirates led 2-0. 

Reynolds belted an opposite-field double, giving the Pirates a 3-2 lead. Ke’Bryan Hayes followed up Reynolds’ double with a double himself, doubling the Pirates’ led 4-2 in the fifth.

In the bottom of the first, the Braves hit two home runs matching the Pirates. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Austin Riley blasted the Braves back into the game, knotting it up 2-2.  

Takeaways

Whiffing- Former Pirate Charlie Morton induced 23 swings and misses from the Pirates while striking out a dozen. Not a very flattering stat for your Pirates

Well, Then- With Thompson dealing through five innings, Derek Shelton favored pulling Thompson for Duane Underwood Jr., yet another instance of favoring matchups over the old-school method.

Reynolds Looks Good- In the eight games played in June before Saturday’s game, Reynolds is slashing .344/.382/.438 with an OPS of .820. Maybe Reynolds is heating up as the months are.