The difference between the Pirates’ offense and a major league offense was on vivid display tonight in Atlanta. The Pirates had a lineup featuring no-bat utility players at the infield corners and a .150 hitter in left field. They managed 11 hits, all singles, six of them either bunts or infield hits, and went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The Braves had 15 extra base hits, seven of them home runs. And the Braves won, 20-1.
Tyler Anderson got pummeled, but Derek Shelton left him in to allow nine runs, including three gopher balls, in five innings. Kyle Keller gave up one solo homer and Chasen Shreve two. The last eight runs came in the bottom of the eighth off Wilmer Difo. The Braves got huge games from practically everybody and hit two grand slams, one off Difo and one off Anderson.
The Pirates’ only run scored in the ninth on an infield hit by Will Craig. Cole Tucker saw his first action of the year with the Pirates and went 0-for-2.
