The Pirates completed a sweep of the Orioles yesterday, riding home runs by Ryan O’Hearn and Oneil Cruz and the pitching arm of Braxton Ashcraft to an 8-2 win before about 12,000 fans at PNC Park.
O’Hearn also doubled in the win and drove in four runs. He, Cruz, and Jake Mangum each had two hits. O’Hearn, who signed a two-year contract with the Pirates in the offseason, says the Bucs are a good ballclub.
Ashcraft threw six innings for the win, giving up four hits and a run and striking out eight while walking none. Manager Donnie Kelly says Ashcraft was impressive.
Ashcraft says he didn’t force the game, chasing strikeouts.
Third baseman Jared Triolo was placed on the injured list yesterday with a knee injury, and outfielder Billy Cook was recalled from Indianapolis to replace him. Nick Yorke played third yesterday and will rotate with Nick Gonzalez while Triolo is out. General Manager Ben Cherington said on The Pirates Insider on WCCS yesterday that Triolo could be out for weeks, and that the injury will not require surgery.
The Pirates open a three-game series with the Padres tonight at PNC Park. Bubba Chandler gets his second start of the season against San Diego righthander Germán Márquez.
ALTOONA CURVE
Altoona was off yesterday and will open a six-game set in Richmond tomorrow night.
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