O’Hearn, Ashcraft Lead Pirates to Blowout Win Over Athletics

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Photo provided by Eddie Provident

Ryan O’Hearn had a career-night and Braxton Ashcraft delivered a game for the Pirates in their 12-4 blowout win over the Athletics at Sutter Health Field in Wednesday’s rubber match.

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Scoring Plays

Top 1st, 3-0 PIT: Athletics right fielder misplayed a ball in right field, giving Bryan Reynolds an RBI ground rule double and the Pirates (38-37) an early lead. Ryan O’Hearn followed with a two-run double to left field off Aaron Civale (5-3)

Top 2nd, 5-0 PIT: With two on and one out, Brandon Lowe delivered a broken-bat RBI single to center field. Reynolds plated another with a base hit up the middle.

Top 4th, 7-0 PIT: O’Hearn tacked on two more for the Pirates with an opposite-field two-run home run to left off left-hander José Suarez.

Bottom 6th, 7-2 PIT: The Athletics (36-38) finally got on the board on Jacob Wilson’s two-run single to center off Braxton Ashcraft (6-3)

Top 7th, 12-2 PIT: Marcell Ozuna led off the seventh with a 448-foot home run to center field off Scott Barlow. Later in the inning, Spencer Horwitz drew a bases loaded walk against Luis Medina, and Lowe followed with a sacrifice fly to deep left. Two batters later, O’Hearn plated two runs with a base hit to center.

Bottom 7th, 12-3 PIT: Henry Bolte hit a 410-foot solo home run to center field off Evan Sisk.

Bottom 9th, 12-4 PIT: Zack Gelof hit a solo shot to left field off Isaac Mattson.

Key Moments

The Pirates struck early and often to cruise to a series win over the Athletics. It marked their second series win this month and first since taking two of three against the Astros from June 2-4.

Player of the Game

Ryan O’Hearn’s six RBI were a career-high and the Pirates right fielder finished a triple shy of the cycle.

Stat to Know

Bryan Reynolds extended his hitting streak to nine games and has reached base safely in 24 straight games. He’s batting .364 (32 for 88) with nine doubles, six homers and 15 RBI during his on-base streak.

Notable Performances

  • Braxton Ashcraft: 6.0 innings, four hits, two runs (one earned), three walks
  • Ryan O’Hearn: 3 for 5, one home run, one double, six RBI, one run
  • Marcell Ozuna: 2 for 5, one home run, one RBI, one run
  • Spencer Horwitz: 2 for 4, two doubles, two walks, one RBI, three runs
  • Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 5, one double, two RBI, one run
  • Jared Triolo: 2 for 4, two runs
  • Nick Gonzales: 2 for 5
  • Brandon Lowe: 1 for 2, two walks, two RBI, two runs

Noteworthy

  • Braxton Ashcraft has worked at least five innings in each of his nine starts since the beginning of May and 14 of his 15 outings overall this season. His nine quality started are tied for the seventh-most in MLB
  • This was the seventh time the Pirates scored double-digit runs this season, matching their total from last season. Pittsburgh out-hit the Athletics 16-6 in this one.
  • The Pirates have recorded at least one hit in 48 straight games, the longest active streak in MLB.

Up Next

The Pirates are off on Thursday and will begin a weekend series with the Rockies at Coors Field on Friday night. RHP Bubba Chandler (2-7,4.76 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh. Colorado will send out veteran LHP Kyle Freeland (1-7, 7.98 ERA). First pitch: 8:40 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh/93.7 The Fan.

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