Mariners' bats awaken, pummel Pirates to end 5-game skid

Field Level Media|published: Sun 18th August, 16:42 2024

Aug 18, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Seattle Mariners /designated hitter Julio Rodríguez (44) greets catcher Cal Raleigh (29) crossing home plate on a two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners' offense came alive with 13 hits, including three home runs, to snap a five-game losing streak and avoid being swept with a 10-3 win against the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

Each of the Mariners' nine starters connected at least once. Cal Raleigh hit his 27th homer of the year, and Josh Rojas had two hits and two runs, including a home run.

George Kirby (9-9) held Pittsburgh to two runs on four hits and struck out five across six innings.

Oneil Cruz had two of five hits for Pittsburgh, which had won its past two games. Joey Bart hit a two-run homer.

Seattle wasted little time in getting its bats going. In the first, with one out and Julio Rodriguez on, Cal Raleigh knocked a two-run shot into the right field seats.

An inning later, Pirates starter Jake Woodford (0-5) got into early trouble and the Mariners capitalized. Josh Rojas led off with a single, Leo Rivas drew a walk and Victor Robles doubled to left to drive in the pair for a 4-0 lead.

In the fourth, Rojas launched a sinker just over the center field wall to push it to 5-0. Rivas and Robles each followed with a single, and Rivas came in to score when Jared Triolo's throw from third base to second on a fielder's choice went into right field.

Luke Raley scored Robles on a sacrifice fly to make it 7-0.

Woodford allowed seven runs (five earned) on nine hits in four innings.

Dominic Canzone added a solo shot to center field off reliever Ryder Ryan in the fifth for an 8-0 lead.

The Pirates had two hits through five innings before getting on the board in the sixth. Cruz singled and Bart crushed a fastball 430 feet to the center field seats to cut it to 8-2.

With the bases loaded and nobody out in the seventh, Raley tacked on another run for Seattle when Canzone hit into a double play. Rivas singled to drive in pinch-runner Dylan Moore.

Pittsburgh's Alika Williams pinch-hit a double to lead off the eighth, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a passed ball.

--Field Level Media