For the first time since Sept. 1996, the Pittsburgh Pirates have won 11 games in a row, emerging victorious Tuesday with a 9-4 shellacking of the Cleveland Indians.
The Pirates got to work early and often against Indians’ starter Shane Bieber (5-2), with Starling Marte opening the scoring with a two run homer to left in the first inning. The outfield trio chased Bieber in the second inning, with Corey Dickerson ripping a two run triple, Marte following with a base hit and Gregory Polanco finishing the job with a towering home run to right field.
Bieber allowed seven runs while only getting five outs. The Pirates added two more runs in the fifth inning on a Josh Bell homer.
Joe Musgrove (4-4) went seven innings of two run ball, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out a pair. He got by on his fastball, throwing 28 sinkers, 23 four-seamers and 10 cutters in his 88 pitch outing.
“He controlled the barrell throughout the outing,” Hurdle told reporters after the game.
Steven Brault and Edgar Santana each allowed a run in relief in the eighth and ninth inning.
Dickerson was removed in the bottom of the fourth inning with left hamstring discomfort. Hurdle told reporters he had no update on his condition after the game.
Update: Dickerson told AT&T Sports that he felt the injury was “mild” and that he will see how he feels Wednesday.
All 10 Pirate batters recorded a hit, and they combined for 14 knocks overall.
On Deck
Jameson Taillon (7-7, 3.80) will try to complete the sweep Wednesday at 1:10 p.m.. Cleveland will counter with Trevor Bauer (8-6, 2.44).
NUMB3RS
1. This is the first time in Marte’s career that he hit seven home runs in a month.
2. The Indians’ ninth inning run was the first tally against Santana, Kyle Crick or Felipe Vazquez in July (28.1 combined IP).
3. Per ESPN Stats & Info, the Pirates have scored 6+ runs in seven straight games for the first time since 1946. That Pirate team was lead by a rookie Ralph Kiner.