Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This; Braves Blast Bucs 20-1

Today’s Game: The Bucs opened with singles from Adam Frazier and Kevin Newman against Ian Anderson and were left at their stations. Ozzie Albies’ two-out two-bagger scored Ronald Acuna, who had led off with a rap, to grab a 1-0 lead over Tyler Anderson. Ben Gamel bled a two-out single in the second to turn the order over. A double, walk and knock opened the Bravo half and an out later, Acuna swatted a grand salami, tucking a change up 355′ into the RF corner. The first two innings…sheesh. The Pirates went in order in the third while the Braves slowed down, stranding a runner at second. It was another clean frame for Ian Anderson in the fourth. A double, bunt and sac fly made it 6-0 Atlanta. A leadoff infield knock stayed anchored for the Bucs in the fifth. The Braves opened with a walk and back-to-back long balls by Albies and Austin Riley, running the tally up to 9-0. 

The Pirates banged back-to-back singles with two outs in the sixth to create a some traffic and little else. Kyle Keller climbed the bump (Anderson was at 100 pitches) while Tuck took over at short, with Kevin Newman going to second and Fraze getting a blow. Marcell Ozuna added to the dog pile with a homer. Josh Tomlin worked the seventh, serving a single, K and DP. Chasen Shreve got the call and Riley smacked his second toss over the fence, then Dansby Swanson waited seven pitches before he went long, too. The Buccos left runners on the corners against Tomlin in the eighth. Wilmer Difo got the call as the sacrificial position player to hurl, and after a bunch of walks and hits, one a grand slam by Ehire Adrianza (who pinch hit for the pitcher, wonder what Tony LaRussa would think of that?), it was 20-0. Jacob Webb got the ninth, and a walk and throwaway of a dribbler led to a two-out run on Craig’s infield rap before he put it to bed.

Give seven homers, two of which were grand slams, and you’re looking at a long day. Nothin’ to do but grab a shower & beer and show up tomorrow.

Notes:

• The Pirates did have 11 hits – all singles and most (6) of the infield variety – with E-Gon, Ben Gamel and Will Craig collecting a pair apiece.
• Per Stats by Stats, the Bravos are the first MLB club to hit seven or more homers with two grannies in a game.
• Ouch: The Pirates announced that Greensboro 2B Nick Gonzales fractured the little finger on his right hand where it connects to the wrist, will have the break immobilized and probably won’t take part in full baseball activities for four-to-six weeks.
• Atlanta OF Guillermo Heredia, who the Bucs cut last year after an eight-game run, made his second start against his old mates. He had three hits and is currently batting .306.

Tomorrow’s Game: The match begins at 4:10 and will be carried by AT&T SportsNet and 93.7 The Fan. Mitch Keller will battle a Bravo TBA.