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Polanco Homers Twice, Nova Pitches a Complete Game in Pirates 7-1 Win

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PITTSBURGH — In the three games preceding their 7-1 thrashing of the Astros at PNC Park Tuesday night, the Pirates’ offense averaged just 4.67 hits.

On Tuesday, they started the game with six consecutive hits and staked starting pitcher Ivan Nova to a 4-0 lead after the first inning, that he was able to parlay into a complete game. It was quite a turnaround for an offensive unit that has been pretty stagnant lately.

“I mentioned to our offensive coordinator Jeff Branson that I liked the way he scripted his first 20 plays,” manager Clint Hurdle said, using an appropriate football reference. “I think we’ll stick with that. We came and hit balls where they were pitched and took advantage of a sinkerballer who wasn’t getting the ball down.”

In total, the Pirates recorded 11 hits — five for extra bases — and had just one inning without a baserunner against the Astros and starter Joe Musgrove.

“We have a tremendous amount of fight and grit,” Hurdle said about his offense showing resiliency. “We shower well. When we don’t play well, we talk about what doesn’t go well. There’s nothing that’s not covered and not brought to the table. What we needed to do was stay in the fight, stay in the hunt and keep looking for pitches up and over the plate. We were able to do that tonight.”

Leading the charge for the Pirates was cleanup hitter Gregory Polanco, who went 3 for 4 with two home runs and three RBI. That followed up a two-double performance on Monday for his most total bases in a two-game span this season.

Polanco’s first home run wasn’t to a place you’ll see many left-handers hit one at PNC Park: down the left-field line. He’s been focusing on his approach to left field this season, and has even started using a bigger bat.

“This year, I’ve been [doing] more to stay with the ball to left field, not just to hit it hard but to stay there and put extension to the ball,” he said. “Now, I’m using a 34 [inch bat]. The last three years, I’ve been using 33 1/2, but this year, I changed.”

He’s seen an overall increase in power across the board, as well. He has already hit more home runs than he did in his first two seasons combined and slugging percentage is up over a 100 points from 2015.

“I guess I’m getting stronger,” he said. “My swing is getting better, shorter and quicker. [It’s] experience, too. The more swings you take, the better you get every day. I think it’s about experience and now, I’m learning more in the league every day.”

It’s been fun to watch for the other members of the Pirates’ lineup, as well.

“He’s a great player and an even better teammate,” said Matt Joyce, who went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. “He’s just a fun guy to have in your clubhouse and be around. He goes about his business the right way. He’s a tremendous talent. He’s just a pure pleasure to watch.”

NOVA GOES DISTANCE

Buoyed by his offense’s quick strike, Nova was ruthlessly efficient on the mound, needing just 98 pitches to get through nine innings. He gave up just six hits and walked only one while striking out six.

Nova relied almost exclusively on his sinker and curveball. It was a matter of finding what worked, sticking with it and daring the Astros to beat him.

“You have to see the hitters,” he said, when asked if that was the game plan coming in. “They can be aggressive. I got quick outs with my sinker. I had to just keep throwing it until they showed me they could hit the sinker. You don’t want to go sinker-sinker-sinker. The curveball was strong today, so we used it in the mix. It was good.”

Catcher Francisco Cervelli, who caught Nova back with the New York Yankees, as well, said he was able to move the sinker inside and outside without falling behind hitters.

“The two-seamer was down inside and then I think the key was the ball down and away for the righties,” Cervelli said. “They all came hunting the pitch inside, but he changed locations very well.”

Nova now owns a 3.20 ERA in four starts with the Pirates after posting a 4.90 mark in 21 appearances with the Yankees before he was traded. The difference has been stark. He is giving up fewer walks, fewer hits and fewer home runs. Nova gave credit to Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage for his quick turnaround, but it hasn’t been due to the mechanical tinkering Searage is known for.

“He’s a great pitching coach,” Nova said. “We’re having fun here with him. I think that’s one of the keys. It gives me the confidence to go out there and have fun and do the best that you can. … I’m not a kid. I know what I have to do out there. It’s a matter of confidence. The stuff is there. We’re going to stay aggressive in the strike zone and get good counts.”

UP NEXT

Gerrit Cole will take the hill in a 12:35 p.m. start for the series finale Wednesday afternoon. He will face Astros right-hander Collin McHugh.

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