CINCINNATI — If the Pirates' three-game sweep of the last-place Reds this weekend was any indication, their pre-All-Star break ascent wasn't one last gasp before a collapse.
A 9-2 victory over the Reds Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park extended their winning streak to nine games and secured a second consecutive series sweep. The Pirates scored 27 runs, their most in a three-game set since 2007, and hit nine home runs, their most in a three-game set since 2013.
They outscored the Reds, winners in 21 of 31 before the break, by 22 runs. As a result, the Pirates improved to 51-49, took sole possession of third place and are just 4 1/2 back in the Wild Card. A victory Monday in Cleveland would give them their first 10-game winning streak since 2004. Yet, their fate is in the hands of the front office. With seven games before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, those in charge of the franchise must decide whether to add or subtract from the hottest team in the National League.
"As a guy that’s been here long enough, whatever decision they try to make I do hope they decide this is something worth investing into as opposed to getting out of the investment," Sean Rodriguez told DKPittsburghSports.com after he hit his second homer in three games Sunday. "It’s like stocks and bonds. You have to ride the lows."
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