Reynolds drives in 4 runs, Pirates beat the White Sox 6-2

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - Bryan Reynolds goes 4-5 with 4 RBI's, in a 6-2 win over the Chicago White Sox.

The Pirates got on the board in the top of the first inning after Andrew McCutchen led off the game with a double and would move to third on a Reynolds single. Oneil Cruz grounded into a fielders choice at second base, that brought home McCutchen. Chicago would tie the game in the bottom of the 6th inning, when Luis Robert drove in a run with an RBI single.

Reynolds came into this game 0 for his last 10. He got out of that hitless streak with a 4 hit game. He would single home two runs in the top of 7th to give Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Chicago got one back on a groundout to third base that would score the runner from third to make it a 3-2 Pirates lead headed into the top of the 9th.

The Pirates loaded the bases in the 9th inning with nobody out and their All Star outfielder coming to the plate.

Reynolds ripped a line drive to right field that would score two and extend the lead to 3 runs. Cruz would fly out to left to score the runner from third, making it 6-2 Pirates.

In his scorching hot month of June, Reynolds hit .330 with 16 runs batted in and 6 home runs. Through 12 games in the month of July, he is hitting .320 with 14 runs batted in and 4 home runs.

"That's what an All Star does. He steps up in a big situation," said manager Derek Shelton.

It's the first time since May 4th-6th, that the Pirates have won 3 games in a row.

"They keep going, they're grinding. I mean we did some stuff late in the game today. We're playing good baseball we just need to finish the first half strong," said Shelton.

Pitching stays sizzling hot

Luis Ortiz pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up 1 run on 4 hits. He struck out 5. Ortiz got the no decision. He was pulled in the 6th inning for Kyle Nicolas with two outs and a runner on second.

Nicolas got Andrew Vaughn to groundout to end the 6th and then pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning, with a strikeout. Nicolas picked up his first win of his Major League career.

Nicolas has really turned it around this season. He had an era of 8.00 in the month of May. Since then, he finished with a 2.57 era in June and has not allowed a single run in the month of July in four appearances.

In three starts since June 26, Ortiz has allowed just two earned runs in 17 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed his first walk as a starter this season on Saturday.

"He's done a really good job. He's a guy we knew that started before. We brought him to the big leagues at the beginning of the year in a different role. I think our pitching group has done a really great job transitioning him in. He continues to throw strikes, I think he had one walk today. I think that's the most important thing. The stuff plays. He's just gotta challenge people with it," said Shelton.

Up next
Pittsburgh is now 47-48 on the season. They will try to close out the first half of the season before the All Star break with a .500 record when Mitch Keller takes the mound vs former Pirate Chad Kuhl. Our coverage on the Fan begins at noon with the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show presented by Pella Windows. The Ben Cherington Show will follow at 12:35 on the Fan.