PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates secured a 2-0 shutout win against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park, fueled by a significant hit from center fielder Oneil Cruz.
The Pirates even the series following a 1-0 loss to the Diamondbacks in extra innings during the opening game. They now have a record of 43-62 overall and 30-25 at home, while the Diamondbacks drop to 51-54 overall and 25-26 away from home.
A delay caused by rain pushed the game’s start time back 40 minutes, from 6:40 p.m. to 7:20 p.m., even though it did not actually rain at the stadium.
Left fielder Tommy Pham successfully reached first base during the bottom of the second inning for the Pirates after a defensive mistake by Diamondbacks’ third baseman Eugenio Suárez.
Center fielder Oneil Cruz then hit a 91.4 mph cutter on the hands, sending it traveling at 102 mph and 410 feet into the center field stands, giving the Pirates a 2-0 lead.
That was his first home run since July 8 against the Kansas City.Royalsat Kauffman Stadium and his first home run at PNC Park since a two-homer performance against New YorkMets on June 29.
Pham started the bottom of the fourth inning with a hit, and then catcher Joey Bart hit a double with two outs, but second basemanLiover Peguerostruck out and concluded the inning.
Left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney had a strong performance in his game with the Pirates, throwing five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits, and recording four strikeouts in 71 pitches.
This was Heaney’s 20th game of the season and could be his final appearance with the Pirates before the MLB Trade Deadline on July 31.
The Diamondbacks executed a trade during the game, sending right fielder Randal Grichuk to the Kansas City Royals. They shifted Corbin Carroll from center field to right field and placed Jorge Barrosa in center field.
Pirates’ left-handed pitcher Génesis Cabrera entered in the top of the sixth inning and recorded two groundouts against Diamondbacks’ second baseman Ketel Marte and Carroll, before giving up a single to left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
A right-handed relief pitcher named Yohan Ramírez entered the game for Cabrera and allowed a hit to Suárez, but then got out of the inning by striking out Barrosa.
Bart had one out in the seventh inning’s bottom half, after which Peguero reached base with a single, creating a bases-loaded situation for the Pirates. Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit into a fielder’s choice, leaving runners on both sides of the bases with two outs, but first baseman Spencer Horwitz was struck out, closing that chance to score.
Pittsburgh once again received strong pitching from their bullpen, with left-handed pitcher Caleb Ferguson throwing a scoreless seventh inning, right-handed reliever Dennis Santana recording a scoreless eighth inning, and right-handed pitcher David Bednar finishing the game. Bednar achieved 16 saves in 16 chances and secured the 100th save of his career.
The Pirates aim to secure the series victory against the Diamondbacks in the final game on July 27, featuring an All-Star starting pitcherPaul Skenesgoing to the mound. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m.
