He was pulled after Jarrett Parker hit a two-out double to the center-field wall in the seventh.
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Mark Melancon pitched the ninth in his 400th career appearance for his 20th save in 21 chances. With two outs Kratz, hitless in his second stint with the Bucs, popped a fly ball towards the left-field corner.
Giants leftfielder Angel Pagan leaped and appeared to make a spectacular catch at the top of fence on Kratz’s drive. He returned to the ground and spiked his glove to the warning track, only then letting the rest of the world know an @cantpredictball moment had occurred.
Kratz’s solo shot with two outs in the fifth inning was his first since a two-homer game for the Kansas City Royals on August 18, 2014, against the Minnesota.
Pittsburgh Pirates’ Erik Kratz swings on a solo home run off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 20, 2016, in Pittsburgh.
It was Reynolds’ second homer of the game and it came off reliever Brian Ellington (1-1), snapping a streak of 15 straight scoreless innings by Miami’s bullpen in the past week. Jordy Mercer, in the leadoff spot, had two of those hits. The eight solo homers accounted for all the runs in the game, setting a major league record.
Stanton’s home run, his 13th of the season, was his first in 16 games.
Carlos Santana also homered for the AL Central leaders, who have won four straight. But as his arms went over the wall, Pagan dropped the ball. “Bring in a guy that’s pitched in the seventh, done some things”.
Red Sox knuckleballer Steven Wright pitched nine innings, giving up only an unearned run and five hits. In his subsequent two starts, that numbe. The 26-year-old has allowed more than two earned runs only twice in 14 outings this season, with both occasions taking place during his first three turns.
Zach Duke (2-0) wriggled out of the ninth to get the win.
Shawn Tolleson (2-2) worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Derek Holland.
CHICAGO – Brandon Moss and Jhonny Peralta homered against John Lackey, and St. Louis stopped a five-game slide by holding off Chicago. They were on a five-game losing streak with one win in their past 11 games when they unfurled the welcome mat to the Giants.
Bumgarner held the Pirates to just four other hits and didn’t allow a runner into scoring position other than Kratz’s homer in the fifth. They also lost on Bumgarner’s day for the first time since April 20. He lasted 65.2 innings and only gave up 5 hits.
Jeremy Hellickson (4-6) allowed three runs and four hits before getting an out.
HOUSTON – Doug Fister extended his winning streak to seven games and the Astros provided him ample run support in their win.
Upton connected on a 2-2 pitch from Vidal Nuno (0-1) leading off the 12th.
Jean Segura led off with a double and scored on Phil Gosselin’s single.
Kershaw (11-1) limited the Nationals to a run and six hits with eight strikeouts and no walks in seven innings.
Marlins reliever Brian Ellington (1-1) took the loss after Paul Clemens yielded three runs over five innings in his season debut and first start since September 28, 2013, with Houston.
Kenley Jansen pitched a ideal ninth for his 20th save of the season, becoming the Dodgers’ franchise leader with 162 and breaking Eric Gagne’s mark.
Lindor hit the first pitch from Erasmo Ramirez (7-5) to break a 4-all tie.
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Yusmeiro Petit replaced Strasburg.
