Reynolds' clutch showing leads Pirates to rare three-game win streak

CHICAGO -- After seeing his All-Star outfielder go hitless in the Pirates' series opener against the White Sox a day prior, Derek Shelton summoned the assistance of Bryan Reynolds' son, Reese, when running into the two prior to Saturday's game at Guaranteed Rate Field. Shelton urged Reese to talk to his dad about his approach at the plate, hoping some extra inspiration and motivation would lead to an improved performance in a potential series-clinching game. 

“He just told me to get some hits," Reynolds said. "So I figured I’d do that so maybe he’ll sleep. Just tit for tat.” 

Reynolds followed through and delivered on his promise, as he continued his stellar first half with a four-hit, four-RBI showing that helped guide the Pirates to a third straight win with a crucial 6-2 victory over the White Sox. Of the four singles Reynolds collected, two came in bases-loaded situations in the latter innings. 

First it was this opposite-field single that plated two runs to give the Pirates a 3-1 advantage in the seventh: 

Then, after the White Sox managed to pull themselves to within one run, Reynolds provided yet another example as to why he was selected as a National League All-Star for the second time in his career by coming through with a second two-run single from the left side of the plate: 

"That's what All-Star players do, they step up in big moments," Shelton said. "Bryan did a good job stepping up today." 

Despite going 0 for 8 over his previous two games, Reynolds' scorching hot month of June has seemingly carried over into July. He hit .330 with a .992 OPS along with six home runs and 16 RBIs over a 26-game period that included a 25-game hitting streak last month. Over the last 12 games to open up the month of July, he's remained the Pirates' key offensive catalyst by batting .320 with a .906 OPS to accompany his four homers and 14 RBIs. With his performance on this particular afternoon, Reynolds has five multi-hit games, including a pair of four-hit performances, this month and has consistently delivered when faced with run-scoring situations.

“I think everybody wants to drive runs in and help the team, obviously," Reynolds said. "When those situations arise, I don’t think you lock in any extra because you’re always locked in, but just try to take an extra breath and try to get it done.” 

Reynolds' offensive production was pivotal in more ways than one. Yes, it helped lead the team to a second straight series victory on the road, but it was also significant in serving as the leading factor in the Pirates being able to win three straight games for the first time since May 4-6 when they earned two wins over the Rockies and another against the Angels. They've won five of their last six games, improved to 47-48 with one game remaining before the All-Star break and currently sit within two games of the final wild card spot. 

“We’ve just been doing what we need to do," Reynolds said. "Pitch the ball, hit the ball, play defense. When we do all those things, things click pretty well for us.” 

In earning that elusive third consecutive victory -- one that has been within reach on eight other occasions since the last streak in early May -- the Pirates put an end to a longstanding 55-game span of mediocrity. That's how many games had gone by since they either won or lost three games in a row. That stretch tied a major-league record previously set by the 1922 Boston Braves and held the Pirates back from gaining any sort of separation amongst the logjam of wild card teams hovering around the .500 mark. 

The Pirates haven't had that their prolonged inconsistencies in mind during this recent surge. As Rowdy Tellez and Joshua Palacios acknowledged to me in separate conversations over the past two days, a one-game-at-a-time approach is crucial during a long 162-game season. 

There's no one looking ahead and the past is the past. All this team is focused on is one more game Sunday before embarking on the four-day break, returning to PNC Park Friday and building on some of this recent momentum in the second half. 

"We're trying to finish strong," Shelton said. "We've won five of the last six, we're playing good baseball, we just need to continue to go and finish strong tomorrow." 

“It feels great going into the break to be on a little heater," Reynolds said. "Just gotta finish it tomorrow and be happy.”