Pirates-Red Sox Recap: Bucs Sweep in Beantown

Yinzer Crazy Contributor Baron Dionis. Follow him on Twitter @BaronDionis

The Pittsburgh Pirates swept the Boston Red Sox in a three game series this week. The Pirates record improves to 4-2.

Game One: 

In game one of this three game series, Johan Oviedo is on the mound for his first start of the season. The game started with a three run start for the Pirates offense. Then the Red Sox scored five runs in the bottom of the first. Not a good start for Oviedo, but he managed to throw scoreless frames until he was pulled in the fifth. Dauri Moreta came in the fifth to get one out and he was successful. Rob Zastryzny threw another two-third of an inning and gave up a run. Duane Underwood Jr was the next to come in for a scoreless inning and one-third. Colin Holderman came in the eighth inning for the hold and set up the ninth inning save opportunity for David Bednar. Bednar came into the ninth and shut down the Red Sox for the save.

The offense was carried by the long ball as Bryan Reynolds hit two home runs and Jason Delay had one. The scoring started in the first inning with a Ke'Bryan Hayes RBI single and Canaan Smith-Njigba two RBI double. Bryan Reynolds responded to the Red Sox scoring five runs in the first inning, with a home run of his own. Jack Suwinski is the next Pirate to drive in a run with an RBI single. Tie game brings up Jason Delay who hits a go ahead solo home run and then Bryan Reynolds follows with his second of the game. That was the end of the scoring for the Pirates who managed to win 7-6.

Game Two:

Game two begins with young starting pitcher Roansy Contreras. After giving up one run in the first inning, Roansy settled in, striking out just two in five and two-thirds innings of work. This was the longest start for a Pirates pitcher so far this season. In total, Roansy only gave up four baserunners. Very dominant outing, but in the sixth inning, two on and two outs, Dauri Moreta comes in and gets a huge strikeout to end the inning. He goes on to get two outs in the seventh and rookie lefty Jose Hernandez comes in to finish the seventh. Colin Holderman once again throws a scoreless inning for the hold. David Bednar comes out in the ninth to record his third save of the season.

The Pirate offense was once again led by Bryan Reynolds who hit his fourth home run of the season. Ji-Hwan Bae got the offense started in the second inning by hitting his first career home run, opposite field over the green monster. Then in the third inning, Bryan Reynolds hits a solo home run. After Tyler Heineman hit a single up the middle and stole second base, Bryan Reynolds drove him in with a single up the middle. That wrapped up the Pirate offense which was enough to earn a 4-1 victory.

Game Three:

Mitch Keller is on the mound for the Pirates as they go for the sweep over the Red Sox. Mitch Keller proved to Pirate fans that he is an ace by going seven innings, giving up one run, six baserunners, and striking out seven batters. Rob Zastryzny also continued to impress with a scoreless inning and a strikeout. Duane Underwood Jr earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning which secured the Pirates sweep over the Red Sox.

With great pitching from Mitch Keller needed a good day at the plate for Pirate hitters. The scoring started in the top of the fourth inning with a solo home run for Carlos Santana. Onto the sixth, Ke’Bryan Hayes lays a perfect bunt down the first base line to get a run home. Then in the seventh, Bryan Reynolds hits a sacrifice fly and Carlos Santana hits an RBI double. Those runs batted in were enough for the Pirates to win 4-1 and sweep the Red Sox.

Pirates head home for the home opener against the Chicago White Sox. Rich Hill is the starter in game one as Andrew McCutchen makes his long awaited return to Pittsburgh.