Diamondbacks finish sweep of Pirates with 6-4 victory

PHOENIX (AP) — Pavin Smith and Daulton Varsho hit consecutive homers in the seventh inning for the go-ahead runs and the Arizona Diamondbacks finished a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 6-4 victory Wednesday.

The Diamondbacks won their 30th game of the season — against an MLB-worst 68 losses — and their fourth in a row to match their season-best winning streak. They won four straight from April 18-22, including three games at Cincinnati which was their only previous sweep of the season.

With the game tied at 4, Smith greeted reliever Duane Underwood Jr. (2-3) with his ninth homer into the right-field seats. Varsho followed with his second of the season, just clearing the interior fence in right.

Varsho, playing center field after catching Tuesday night, also doubled to start a two-run fourth.

All-Star Bryan Reynolds had three hits for the Pirates.

Brett de Geus (2-0) walked John Nogowski to force in the tying run in the seventh after the Pirates loaded the bases on three singles against Joe Mantiply. But de Geus retired Jacob Stallings on a double play to end the inning.

Joakim Soria retired the side in order in the ninth for his sixth save for the Diamondbacks.

Madison Bumgarner went five innings for Arizona in his second start since coming off the injured list (left shoulder inflammation). He struck out one, walked none and threw 79 pitches. He allowed three runs, including one earned.

Max Kranick, pitching on his 24th birthday, started for Pittsburgh after being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the week. He lasted three-plus innings, giving up seven hits and four runs.

The Pirates, who were swept for the 10th time this season, have lost four straight. That streak started Sunday, when they led the New York Mets 6-0 after one inning...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Diamondbacks-finish-sweep-of-Pirates-with-6-4-16330892.php