(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA -- The Pirates came into Friday night's game having lost their last 10 games, while the tribe came in fresh off a four-game sweep against the Orioles. Pittsburgh jumped all over the Indians pitching, taking an 11-run lead into the 7th innings. The Indians bats awoke in the away half of the 7th, driving in 6 total runs. Pirates closer Richard Rodriguez fended up the Indians in the 9th to se3cure an 11-10 win.
The Pittsburgh Pirates came to play on Friday night, lighting up Cleveland starter J.C. Mejia for 5 runs off the hop. Gegory Polanco blew the game open on a 2-run moonshot to right field. Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds launched a homer of his own to right field in the 3rd inning. A 2-run RBI double off of the bat of Ke'Bryan Hayes proved to be just enough for the Pirates so put a halt to their 10-game losing streak.
Cesar Hernandez got the Indians rally started on a grand slam in the 7th inning, marking his first career granny. Tribe platoon catcher Rene Rivera roped in 3 RBI in the Indians offensive surge.
Cleveland and Pittsburgh will square off for game two of the three game set on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 4:05 pm ET at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,