Pirates put together relentless offensive attack

PITTSBURGH — The Pirates set a season high with 21 hits Tuesday night. They tied their high mark with 12 runs, putting nine on the board before they made six outs. In the end, they needed just about all of them to escape with a 12-9 win over the Braves at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh’s most impressive offensive performance of the season almost went to waste. The Bucs jumped out to a nine-run lead and let the Braves crawl back into the game, eventually calling on closer Mark Melancon in the ninth inning.

But the Pirates’ relentless offense didn’t stop pushing. They scored seven runs in the first, two in the second, two in the fifth and one more in the seventh — in all, enough to win their third straight game.

“It’s good. It’s contagious because you see everybody getting a hit and you’re ready to get yours,” said outfielder Gregory Polanco, who went 3-for-5 with a trio of doubles. “Keep it up and keep hitting like that.”

Polanco was one of four Pirates with three hits, as John Jaso (3-for-3, double), Andrew McCutchen …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com