Another Blown Lead: Pirates Storm Back But But Fall to Guardians After Bullpen Struggles

CLEVELAND — Despite a huge fifth inning to erase an early deficit, the Pittsburgh Pirates came out on the losing end, falling 10-8 to the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Friday night. 

Recap

Bailey Falter immediately found himself in trouble in the bottom of the first after a leadoff double and a walk. After retiring the next two batters, Josh Naylor brought home both runners with a double.

The Guardians (77-58) extended their lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning on an Austin Hedges squeeze and a Steven Kwan two-out single. 

The Pirates (62-72) responded by sending 10 men to the plate in a six-run top of the fifth. Oneil Cruz got the Pirates on the board with a two-run single to right. Andrew McCutchen, fresh off the injured list, followed with a two-run double to deep center to even the score at 4-all.

The next batter, Rowdy Tellez, belted a 406-home run to right-center to give the Pirates their first lead of the game.

ROWDY TELLEZ 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/Emx8gZaGZD

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 31, 2024

But the Pirates’ lead was short-lived, as Carmen Mlodzinski (2-5)was hit hard in relief of Falter. 

Naylor singled home a run for his third RBI of the game and was followed with back-to-back home runs from Jhonkensy Noel and Andrés Giménez.

Cruz got the Pirates back within a run in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI-single to right-center. 

Cleveland added two insurance runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on RBI-singles from David Fry and Naylor against Domingo Germán. Naylor was removed from the game after his third hit of the night with an injury.

McCutchen hit an opposite-field homer off of Emmanuel Clase, but the Guardians’ closer converted his 40th save of the season.

Key Moment

Giménez’s home run came on the very first pitch of the at-bat following a mound visit from Oscar Marin. 

Star of the Game

Naylor came up with three big hits for the Guardians and finished 3 for 5 with a double, four RBIs and a run scored.

Stat to Know

It’s not a stat, per se, but the Pirates batted around in an inning in back-to-back games and lost both contests. In Wednesday’s loss to the Cubs, Pittsburgh sent 11 batters to the plate in a five-run second inning. 

Noteworthy

• Manager Derek Shelton was ejected by home plate umpire Brian Walsh in the top of the fourth inning after Billy McKinney was called out on strikes.
• The Pirates reinstated designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (left knee inflammation) from the 10-day injured list. Right-handed pitcher Ben Heller was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
• David Bednar has been taken out of the closer role for the time being.

Up Next

The Pirates will continue their weekend series with the Guardians on Saturday night. Luis Ortiz (5-4, 3.36 ERA) will be on the mound for Pittsburgh opposite Matt Boyd (1-0, 2.70 ERA). First pitch: 6:10 ET.