Perez, Reynolds home runs power Pirates past Indians, 6-3

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Michael Perez and Bryan Reynolds hit three-run home runs during the seventh inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied for a 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Saturday.

Perez homered to right off Bryan Shaw (1-2) to put the Pirates ahead. Four batters later, Reynolds hit a 98 mph fastball from James Karinchak that sailed over the stands in right, bounced into the Allegheny River and was measured at 428 feet.

Down 2-0 entering the seventh, the Pirates were aided by six walks, three each by Shaw and Karinchak. It is the most walks the Pirates have drawn in an inning since also coaxing six bases on balls in 1976 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

“The six walks give you so many opportunities to score, but I like them when they are mixed in with homers. I’ll take that,” Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said.

Perez’s home run was his fifth of the season in the backup catcher’s 27 games. Prior to this season, he had gone deep just twice in 84 games.

“Lately, I’ve been feeling great in the box,” said Perez, who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay in the offseason. “My mindset and mentality is to get a good at-bat, go into the box with a good plan and stay on top of the ball and hopefully execute the plan.”

Reynolds has a team-leading 12 homers. He has homered five times in 16 games in June while batting .345.

“I feel good up there,” Reynolds said. “I feel like the timing is good and all that good stuff. I’m just trying to keep it rolling and put the barrel on the ball consistently.”

Pittsburgh has won the first two games of the series after entering on a 10-game losing streak.

The Pirates rallied against two of the Indians’ best relievers.

“It’s uncharacteristic and it proves they’re human,”...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Perez-Reynolds-home-runs-power-Pirates-past-16260003.php