Thursday, July 22, 2010
Associated Press
pittsburgh
Prized Pittsburgh rookie Pedro Alvarez is finally hitting. So are the rest of the Pirates.
Alvarez had two home runs for the second consecutive game and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 15-3 Wednesday night.
The No. 2 overall draft pick from 2008 hit a two-run homer to center in the fifth and a solo shot off the right-field pole in the eighth, giving him seven in his past 14 games.
“Obviously, those first few weeks, it’s a million miles an hour, and as time goes on you get used to it a little bit more and more,” Alvarez said. “You kind of just play and not try to do too much, and that’s what’s going on right now.”
Delwyn Young had a home run and a career-high five RBIs to help Pittsburgh win for the fourth time in five games. On Tuesday, Alvarez had a grand slam and a solo homer in the Pirates’ 11-9 win over Milwaukee.
“I think we’re going to need a little advice on how to pitch to Alvarez,” Brewers manager Ken Macha said.
The Pirates entered the All-Star break last in the National League in runs, batting average and homers but have scored 47 runs on 55 hits in their past four wins.
“It’s a nice change of pace form what we had been going through,” said rookie second baseman Neil Walker, who had two hits and two RBIs. “We’re really hoping this will carry us through the near and distant future.”
George Kottaras homered for the Brewers, who had a starting pitcher allow more then 10 runs for the third time in four games.
“That’s no fun,” Macha said. “You want to sit there where I sit? That’s no fun.”
Pittsburgh has won four of five and improved its home record to 23-22.