CINCINNATI -- While the Reds were making a pitching change from Ross Ohlendorf to J.J. Hoover, the Pirates started kicking around the idea in the dugout. David Freese had just loaded the bases with an infield single, and Pittsburgh was down by three runs in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park.
"We were talking about it before," shortstop Jordy Mercer said. "Like, 'It'd be a good time for the first homer as a team.'"
A few moments later, Starling Marte delivered. He cleared the bases with a shot to left field off Hoover, a game-winning blast that also served as Marte's first career grand slam and the Bucs' first homer of the season.