Jake Mangum and Nick Gonzales each totaled three hits and two RBIs to lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a wild 10-9 win over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon.
Mangum’s second-inning solo home run to right center off Twins starter Bailey Ober (6-3) was his first as a Pirate, and ignited a six-run second inning which gave Pittsburgh a 7-1 lead.
Ober allowed three home runs in the first two innings, including a three-home run to Oneil Cruz in the second and a leadoff solo homer to Spencer Horwitz in the first.
The Twins answered in the third on a Kody Clemens RBI triple, and produced five runs in the fourth off Pirates starter Mitch Keller to tie the game at 7. Tristan Gray and Josh Bell each hit two-run doubles in that inning.
Clemens finished with three hits and two RBI, and was a home run short of hitting for a cycle.
Ober, who gave up eight runs (seven earned) on 12 hits and one walk and struck out three over 4 2/3 innings, couldn’t keep the game even. Mangum’s RBI single put the Pirates ahead for good. Horwitz and Bryan Reynolds each had two hits and an RBI. Konnor Griffin also had two hits.
Keller lasted just four innings after allowing seven runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out five. Yohan Ramirez (3-2) pitched the first of four scoreless innings by Pirates relievers. Pittsburgh scored a pair of key insurance runs in the seventh on an RBI single by Jared Triolo and a sacrifice fly by Reynolds.
The Twins loaded the bases with one out in the eighth and scored two runs on a bases-loaded walk to Brooks Lee issued by Mason Montgomery and a Bell ground out.
Pirates closer Gregory Soto shut the door when he induced Clemens to ground out to end the eighth. Soto walked Victor Caratini with one out in the ninth, but retired Orlando Arcia and Luke Keaschall to pick up his seventh save.
Brandon Lowe was ejected in the fourth by first base umpire Jordan Baker. The ejection stemmed from Lowe and Pirates manager Don Kelly arguing with the umpires moments earlier after Lowe was not granted a pitch challenge he asked for. Lowe was turning to head back to the dugout after flying out to right field when Baker tossed him.
