Phoenix, AZ – A.J. Pollock hit two home runs and had four RBI in leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 10-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.
Pollock went 3-for-5, stole a base and scored three times for the Diamondbacks. Miguel Montero, Alfredo Marte, Cliff Pennington and Josh Wilson drove in a run apiece.
Arizona starter Wade Miley (2-0) allowed two runs on five hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings. He also had an RBI in the victory.
"Defense was great, offense was even better, we put up a lot of runs," said Miley. "Just trying to get us back out there as fast as I could ... just wanted to go back out and get the offense back on the field."
Starling Marte and Josh Harrison each had an RBI for the Pirates, who saw starter Jonathan Sanchez (0-2) struggle. He lasted 3 1/3 innings and gave up nine runs on eight hits and four walks.
"There wasn't one pitch that was as sharp as LA, but we have got to get the ball in," said Pirates manager Clint Hurdle. "All of our pitchers have to get the ball in, that's part of our program.
Arizona pulled away early in the contest. In the bottom of the first, Pollock hit a one-out double and later scored on a throwing error by Sanchez when Martin Prado was up to bat. Prado then walked, advanced to third on a single by Paul Goldschmidt and came home when Montero grounded out to second. Marte followed by knocking a double to deep center, plating Goldschmidt for a 3-0 lead.
The Diamondbacks tacked on three more runs in the second. Wilson drew a leadoff walk and Gerardo Parra had a one-out single, setting up Pollock's three-run shot.
Pittsburgh got on the board in the fourth, when Harrison's two-out single plated Andrew McCutchen. However, Arizona scored four more times in the bottom of the inning.
Pollock knocked a leadoff homer that went 412 feet into left center on a 1-1 pitch to begin the big inning. After Goldschmidt drew a walk, a Montero single and a walk to Marte loaded the bases, Pennington walked himself on four straight pitches to plate Goldschmidt.
Next up was Wilson, and he was walked as well to force in Montero. Miley then hit a ground out to the shortstop, but Marte reached home for a 10-1 lead.
Marte's RBI came in the seventh, a two-out, bases-loaded single that brought Michael McKenry home.
Game Notes
Marte has reached base safely in eight of nine games this season ... Arizona's pitching has recorded 91 strikeouts this season, which is best in the majors ... Miley is 5-0 in seven career April games ... The Diamondbacks snapped a four-game losing streak against the Pirates at home.
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