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Pirates Display Some Rare Power in 4-1 Win Over the Cardinals

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PITTSBURGH — In a year where the long ball has dominated Major League Baseball, the Pirates have seemingly been left behind.

The league set a new record for the most home runs in a season last week, but it came with little help from the Pirates, who had 144 home runs on the season entering play on Sunday — 29th in the majors.


But they got two on Sunday in a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, and they came from players that might be able to contribute some power to the club in 2018 where it had been missing this season.

Starling Marte hit a two-run shot into the left field bleachers for his seventh of the season in the fifth innings and Jordan Luplow added a solo shot in the sixth for his third of the year.

Marte missed half of the season with a PED suspension and Luplow started all the way down in Double-A, but they’re both capable of providing a burst of power when necessary, and that’s something that has significantly held back the Pirates offense this season.

With Marte in the mix for a full season and Luplow as a right-handed fourth outfielder to complement Gregory Polanco, the Pirates could see a big turnaround in the power production in the outfield in 2018. Luplow and Marte have combined for 10 homers in 94 games so far this year.

“Luplow’s swing plays,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “Today, it was nice for him to catch a ball like that again and get some barrels out front. Marte, the couple he’s hit, we’ve seen it travel. They’ve got some distance to them. … So, they will help. We’ll have more power next year, I believe, just based on if I can get those guys and keep them on the field.”

Marte feels that he’s back where he needs to be after a rough start returning from his suspension. He has a six-game hitting streak and is 9 for 21 (.429) with a double, triple and homer in that span.

“I feel like I’m getting my rhythm back,” he said through interpreter Mike Gonzalez. “I feel like things are coming back together and I’m feeling great. I’m feeling good on the bases, even my at bats. I feel like these two months have allowed me to catch back up.”

HE SAID IT

“He’s over 30 pitches in the top of the fifth inning and he’s over 90 in the game. It would be very interesting if he doesn’t strike out the last guy, the decision the manager has in front of him with the bases loaded.” — Hurdle on Jameson Taillon escaping a jam in the fifth inning.

GAME IN GRAPHS

Marte’s overall numbers are not impressive this season, but part of that is due to the massive slide he went on before his suspension, particularly when it came to power. Marte said his upcoming suspension had been “weighing on his mind” during that time.

QUICK HITS

***For Luplow, who is now hitting .221/.426/.270, his success at the majors this year is all about being able to quickly adjust to the level. After starting the season at Double-A, it’s a process he’s gone through twice this season. He said he’s relied on his more experienced teammates for guidance.

“McCutchen is an All-Star, Marte; All-Star,” he said. “These guys have had success at this level. It’s just picking their brains, especially being right-handed hitters. It’s helped me a lot.”

***Taillon started and threw five innings of four-hit ball while allowing just one run on a first-row solo homer. He was cruising until the fifth, when he ran into a two-on, one-out jam. But Taillon buckled down to strike out Matt Carpenter — who had hit the earlier homer — and Tommy Pham to end the inning.

“He showed the guys in the dugout something,” Hurdle said. I think he threw one fastball at 97. He threw some curveballs that were sharp even though the pitches (that inning) were over 30. … To see that fight, he had good stuff today. The command was a little off, but he made pitches at crunch time throughout the game. His competitive fire was burning.”

***Chris Bostick got his first start of September, batted lead off and went 2 for 3 and scored a pair of runs.

“We’ve liked the at-bats,” Hurdle said. “He had a solid campaign in three A and the fact that he was named team MVP speaks of his value to the club. Defensive versatility helped. We’ve seen some nice battle in the box since he’s been here as far as seeing pitches, getting the swing off. So, we’re hoping to get him some action. I figured if I wanted to see him play, why not lead him off?”

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