Pirates
Oneil Cruz’s Errors Prove Costly as Pirates Blow Lead Against Astros

Oneil Cruz committed three costly errors for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 5-4 loss to the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday night.
Cruz’s first error of the game errant throw on a routine grounder which allowed Jeremy Peña to advance to second on what would have been the first out of the inning. Peña eventually scored on a wild pitch with two outs.
In the bottom of the third inning, Cruz raced to shallow left field and collided with Bryan Reynolds on a Yordan Alvarez popup. The ball bounced off of Reynolds and kicked away, allowing Chas McCormick to race home from first and score. To make matters worse, Cruz made a throwing error to home plate, allowing Alvarez to advance to third. The Astros (56-52) scored two runs on what would have been the third out after Yainer Diaz plated Alvarez with a two-out single.
Because of Cruz’s defensive woes, all three runs on Jake Woodford’s line were unearned. In his team debut, Woodford pitched five innings, allowed a pair of hits, didn’t walk a batter and punched out three.
Jalen Beeks made his first Pirates’ appearance and faced three batters. He allowed a one-out single and was lifted after striking out Peña. The Astros pinch-hit Mauricio Dubó for Jon Singleton, so manager Derek Shelton went to right-hander Colin Holderman (3-2). On the first pitch Holderman threw, Dubón connected on a go-ahead two-run homer to left.
The Pirates (55-53) had built a 4-0 lead after scoring four runs in the top of the second. Bryan De La Cruz, who finished 2 for 4 in his team debut, led off the inning with a single to right on an 0-2 pitch. He was followed by Joey Bart, who blasted a two-run home run to left field. Bart finished with three hits, his first three-hit game since 2022.
THE SEVENTH BART DART OF THE SEASON 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Y0mc1lOiHh
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 1, 2024
Later in the inning, Jared Triolo plated a run with a double to center field and came around to score on an Andrew McCutchen opposite-field single.
After that inning, Astros starter Framber Valdez (10-5) settled in and completed six innings with 10 strikeouts. Josh Hader converted his 21st save of the season.
Up Next
The Pirates have an off day on Thursday before returning home to play the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Luis Ortiz (5-2, 2.75) will be on the mound for Pittsburgh opposite Brandon Pfaadt (5-6, 3.92). First pitch: 6:40 ET.
News and Notes
- Pirates hitting coach Andy Haines was ejected three pitches into the game for arguing balls and strikes.
- Connor Joe was charged with the Pirates’ fourth error of the game on a dropped popup in four territory. It turned out to be inconsequential as Woodford struck out McCormick.
- The Pirates added Bryan De La Cruz to the active roster after acquiring him on Tuesday. Fellow outfielder Joshua Palacios was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.