The Pittsburgh Pirates broke out the bats at Coors Field over the weekend, pounding the Colorado Rockies’ pitching staff for 30 runs and 34 hits during their three-game series. That included a season-high 16 runs in Friday’s series opener, helping match their season-best in runs for a three-game series this year.
In particular, the Pirates got outstanding production from the top of the order. Their leadoff hitters combined to go 7-for-15 with five home runs, a double, 12 RBI and eight runs, carrying the offense with their heavy hitting.
That included back-to-back historic performances from Pittsburgh’s leadoff men on Saturday and Sunday.
During Saturday’s 8-5 loss, Liover Peguero was the starting leadoff hitter for the first time this season and only the second time in his career, as manager Don Kelly wanted a right-handed bat at the top of the lineup against lefty pitcher Austin Gomber. Peguero responded by erupting for three homers and five RBI, driving in all five Pirates runs with his first career multi-homer game.
The rest of the lineup combined for just four hits and no RBI, however, as Pittsburgh blew a considerable lead for the second day in a row.
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Spencer Horwitz returned to the leadoff spot on Sunday and followed Peguero with a monster game of his own. Horwitz doubled and cracked two homers, racking up a career-high six RBI to pace the Pirates’ 9-5 victory.
According to OptaSTATS, Pittsburgh became the first MLB team to get at least five RBI from its leadoff hitters in back-to-back games since RBI became an official stat in 1920.
The Pirates will try to extend that streak at home on Monday night against the San Francisco Giants. Justin Verlander will start for the Giants and has struggled this year, going 1-8 with a 4.53 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP, potentially teeing up Pittsburgh’s offense for another big game.
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Featured image via Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images