Ryan O’Hearn makes Pirates history with rare power barrage

Tuesday started as a day to forget for Pirates fans with stud rookie Konnor Griffin being placed on the injured list with a finger injury.
But hours later, 20,281 people witnessed history at PNC Park, courtesy of Ryan O’Hearn.
O’Hearn, who signed with the Pirates on a two-year, $29 million deal last offseason, broke a franchise record for RBIs in a single game with 10 in the team’s 12-4 thrashing of the Braves.
Not only were O’Hearn’s 10 RBIs the most in a game this season by any player, but he became just the 11th player ever to record three home runs and 10 RBIs in a game.
It was a day to remember for O’Hearn, who noted it was the first time ever he accomplished the feat.
“Never. Never 10 RBIs, never hit three home runs in my life,” O’Hearn told reporters postgame.
“Hit two [home runs] many times in high school and all that and college, but never three. So, today’s the day I’ll remember forever.”
With the bases loaded and the Pirates trailing 1-0 in the first inning, O’Hearn blasted a grand slam to give them a comfortable 4-1 lead.
Just two innings later, he notched seven RBIs after hitting a three-run bomb to center to make it 7-1 Pirates.
Up 7-2 in the sixth, O’Hearn put the finishing touches on his historic night with a second three-run homer to blow the game and put the Pirates up 10-2.
After his third home run, O’Hearn received a curtain call, as fans gave him a round of applause for his monumental showing.
“Yeah it’s another first. Never had a curtain call before,” O’Hearn said. “Always said I’m not going to do it unless they really want it. I feel like there’s nothing worse than popping out for a curtain call and it was just like, ‘Couple fans wanted it.’
“Really cool to do it, have a game like this at home and get to have a curtain call and celebrate with the fans. So, really special.”
O’Hearn’s bat from Tuesday night also earned a spot in the Pirates Legacy Hall at PNC Park, while his helmet is headed to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
The slugger’s season RBI total ballooned from 51 to 61 after Tuesday’s historic output, and his current .293 batting average would be a career-high.
Thanks to O’Hearn and a solid outing from ace Paul Skenes, the Pirates won their third straight game and are 47-45, three games back of a Wild Card spot in the NL.