Jones Overcomes Early Wildness, Cruz Reaches River in Pirates’ Win Over Rays

PITTSBURGH — Jared Jones delivered a strong bounce-back start and Oneil Cruz homered into the Allegheny River for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at PNC Park.

In his last start against the Rockies in Colorado, Jones was charged with a career-high six runs in just 4.2 innings pitched. 

Jones (5-6) rebounded for the Pirates (37-39) on Saturday and held the Rays (37-40) to two runs on three hits and three walks with eight strikeouts across seven innings.

The rookie right-hander overcame some early wildness. He hit two batters in the first inning including Amed Rosario, who left the game after getting hit in the face by a Jones fastball.

Despite not recording a hit in the first inning, the Rays plated a run on Josh Lowe’s RBI-groundout.

The only other run against Jones came in the fourth inning when left fielder Bryan Reynolds lost a ball in the sun off the bat of Ben Rortvedt. Richie Palacios, who replaced Rosario, scored from first with two outs. 

Cruz’s home run in the first evened the score after the Rays jumped out in front in the top of the inning. The Pirates’ shortstop became the fifth player to reach the river on a fly, joining Daryle Ward, Pedro Alvarez, Garrett Jones and Josh Bell (twice). The blast snapped an 0-for-12 skid. 

OH MY, ONEIL 😱 pic.twitter.com/7xk3Hhn0v3

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 22, 2024

In the bottom of the third inning, the Pirates plated three runs. Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 19 games with an opposite-field single to plate Andrew McCutchen and give the Pirates their first lead of the game. 

McCutchen hit a one-out triple off of the Clemente Wall in right, the 50th triple of his career and his first since 2021. 

Later in the inning, Rowdy Tellez singled home a run to put the Pirates ahead 3-1 and Nick Gonzales reached on a fielder’s choice which allowed Cruz to score from third base. 

Rays starter Zach Eflin (3-5) went seven innings, allowed four runs on five hits and struck out six. 

Aroldis Chapman collected his second save of the season to finish off the win. Yandy Diaz doubled home a run with two outs but Chapman retired Isaac Paredes for the final out.

Up Next

The Pirates and Rays will settle their weekend series on Sunday afternoon. Paul Skenes (4-0, 2.29 ERA) will look to stay perfect opposite Aaron Civale (2-5, 5.42 ERA). First pitch: 1:35 ET.