PITTSBURGH — The trio of Spencer Horwitz, Bryan Reynolds, and Tommy Pham from the Pittsburgh Pirates recorded nine hits and six RBIs in the team’s 8-5 victory against the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park on Tuesday evening.
How We Got There
Spencer Horwitz hit a double that scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning, giving the Pirates (41-61) an early advantage against All-Star Casey Mize (9-4)
During the bottom of the third inning, Oneil Cruz capitalized on a throwing error by Zach McKinstry and dashed home from second base to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead.
Reynolds and Pham each recorded RBI singles in the fourth inning. Two innings later, Reynolds added another RBI single, while Pham scored his second run of the game with a double to left field. Ke’Bryan Hayes concluded the three-run sixth inning with an RBI single.
The Tigers, with a record of 60-42, scored in the top of the fifth inning as Jake Rogers hit a three-run home run to center field against Mitch Keller, who has a 4-10 win-loss record.
Jahmai Jones hit a 451-foot two-run home run against Caleb Ferguson in the top of the eighth inning, narrowing Detroit’s deficit to three runs.
David Bednar secured his 15th save out of 15 chances by pitching a scoreless ninth inning.
Key Moment
Javier Báez was in position to score the tying run during the top of the sixth inning but was struck out by Mitch Keller. The Pirates scored three runs in the bottom of that inning.
Star of the Game
Spencer Horwitz concluded the game with a 3-for-4 performance, including two doubles, two RBIs, two runs, and a walk. He has now batted 6 for 8 in the first two games of the series.
Stat to Know
Spencer Horwitz, Tommy Pham, and Oneil Cruz each recorded two doubles in the victory. This marked the first time the Pirates had three players hit two doubles in a single game since August 24, 2002, when Brian Giles, Abraham Núñez, and Pokey Reese achieved the feat against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Notable Performances
- Mitch Keller: 6.0 innings pitched, allowed six hits, surrendered three runs, issued three walks, recorded five strikeouts, threw 89 pitches with 59 strikes.
- Spencer Horwitz: 3 out of 4, two doubles, two RBIs, two runs, one walk
- Tommy Pham: 3 hits in 5 at-bats, two doubles, two RBIs, one run scored
- Bryan Reynolds: 3 hits in 5 at-bats, one double, two RBIs, two runs scored
- Oneil Cruz: 2 hits in 4 at-bats, two doubles, one run scored, one walk
- Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 hits in 5 at-bats, one run batted in, one run scored
Noteworthy
- Mitch Keller recorded his 15th quality start this season, matching Zack Wheeler (Phillies) and Logan Webb (Giants) as the top performers in baseball. Keller achieved 15 quality starts throughout the entire previous season as well.
- Following ten consecutive losses early in the season, Keller has now secured three victories in a row.
- This marked the first instance where the Pirates recorded at least eight doubles in a single game since August 24, 2002, when they faced the Brewers. The previous time they achieved this feat in a home game was on August 4, 1998, against the Colorado Rockies.
- The Pirates selected a first-round pick for 2025Seth Hernandez.
Up Next
The Pirates aim for a series sweep with LHP Bailey Falter (6-5, 4.00 ERA) on the mound. RHP Troy Melton will debut in the Major Leagues for the Tigers. First pitch: 12:35 p.m. ET.
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