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PITTSBURGH \u2014 As if facing the first-place Brewers wasn\u2019t challenging enough, the Pirates entered their final series before the All-Star Break without some major starpower.<\/p>\n
The Pirates have been operating without center fielder Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz, but they were also without starting shortstop Konnor Griffin and emerging catcher Endy Rodr\u00edguez. Griffin, who was placed on the 10-day injured list at the start of the homestand, was transferred to the 60-day IL on Saturday. Rodr\u00edguez was placed on the 10-day IL on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
It didn\u2019t matter. The Pirates won a pair of one-run games in a doubleheader on Saturday and blew out the Brewers in the series finale on Sunday afternoon for the sweep.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it says a lot about our team. Obviously, the Brewers are a good team,\u201d Ryan O\u2019Hearn said after Sunday\u2019s win. \u201cI believe in this team. Today was really fun, fun series for us to kind of make a statement going into the All-Star break.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a needed total effort for the Pirates against one of the best teams in baseball, especially with the aforementioned injury losses. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in a good spot, kind of wish we didn\u2019t have an All-Star Break at this point because we are playing good baseball,\u201d Sunday\u2019s starter Paul Skenes said. <\/p>\n
The offense, as it has been all season, was great. Combined between the three games, the Pirates scored a total of 24 runs, 14 of which came in the series finale, with 10 in one inning. The Pirates will enter the break tied with the Nationals for the most runs scored this season with 516, only 67 fewer than their total from last year. <\/p>\n
Esmerlyn Valdez was the hero on Saturday. The start rookie combined for three home runs and eight RBIs between the two games, including a pivotal go-ahead grand slam in the first game of the doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s electric. They call him The Magician for a reason,\u201d Braxton Ashcraft said after the first game Saturday. <\/p>\n
On Sunday, everybody contributed, with the bottom of the order in particular coming up big. All nine Pirates in the starting lineup had at least one hit and at least one run scored in the win, while eight of the nine drove in at least one run. The 7-8-9 spots of the lineup consisting of Marcell Ozuna, Jared Triolo and Henry Davis combined to go 7 for 14 with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBIs and six runs scored.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just think it\u2019s quality up and down the lineup. There\u2019s good hitters 7-9. You don\u2019t see that on a lot of teams,\u201d said O\u2019Hearn. \u201cAlso, the depth \u2014 we\u2019ve got four guys who are regulars who are hurt right now. Just speaks to the depth, guys getting a chance and taking advantage of it. It\u2019s pretty cool.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the offense was advertised, the bullpen was really the unsung hero of the weekend. Between the two games on Saturday, seven relievers combined to allow one run across 8.1 innings. Rookie right-hander Antwone Kelly allowed three runs in two innings, but Isaac Mattson and Brandon Eisert combined for 1.2-scoreless innings. <\/p>\n
While the Pirates gained three games on the division-leading Brewers, they\u2019re still 9.5 games out of first place. But Pittsburgh is in the thick of the wild card race and enter the break with momentum after their best series of the season.<\/p>\n
For the first time since 2016, the 50-47 Pirates are above .500 at the break. They\u2019re a ways away from approaching the top of the division, but they\u2019re right in the thick of the wild card race. And you don\u2019t have to squint too hard to see a team capable of pushing for a playoff spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a fun second half to be a Pittsburgh Pirate,\u201d said O\u2019Hearn. <\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> <\/p>\n