Bucs bats down Padres 8-4

Hey, guys. I just wanted to apologize for the late game recap. The plan was obviously to post it right after the game, but I have a toddler with a cold at home right now, and I fell asleep with her putting her to bed. If anyone has a snuggly four-year-old girl at home, you know how easy it is for this to happen, especially if they are not feeling well.

Anyway, on to the game, and the Pittsburgh Pirates got themselves back into the win column with a big 8-4 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.

As I mentioned earlier, when the Bucs’ bats come alive, they tend to do well, and that was the case again last night, as Pittsburgh hammered out 12 hits, led by Jacob Stallings going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, including a game-tying double in the bottom of the first after the Friars jumped out to quick 2-0 lead on starter Chad Kuhl. The Bucs scored three in the first and chased San Diego starter Blake Snell after two-thirds of an inning.

The Pirates also got good days at the plate from Erik Gonzalez, who finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs, including the RBI single that chased Snell in the first, and they also had nice nights from Kevin Newman, who went 2-for-5 with an RBI double, and Bryan Reynolds, who went 2-for-5 with an RBI.

It wasn’t all candy and rainbows at the plate for Pittsburgh, as Anthony Alford went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and left seven runners on base, while Wilmer Difo went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts and left four on base, so the damage the Pirates put on while hitting actually could have been lot worse had these two guys not struck out a combined seven times between them.

As for Kuhl, he had another shaky outing, going just three and two-thirds innings, giving up four runs, three earned, on four hits. He also really struggled with control, which has been an issue for Kuhl in all of this young season so far. He walked seven batters last night, giving him 15 free passes in just 10 total innings.

Pittsburgh’s bullpen was much better, combining to two-hit the Padres the rest of the way, as Chris Stratton picked up the victory, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

The Pirates now move to 4-7 on the season and have ended San Diego’s four-game win streak and will be back in action tonight for game three of this four-game set.