Pirates Break Out to Beat Tigers; Horwitz and Reynolds and Pham, Oh My
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates’ trio of Spencer Horwitz, Bryan Reynolds and Tommy Pham combined for nine hits and six RBI in the team’s 8-5 win over the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park on Tuesday night.
How We Got There
Spencer Horwitz doubled home a pair in the bottom of the second to give the Pirates (41-61) an early lead off All-Star Casey Mize (9-4)
In the bottom of the third, Oneil Cruz took advantage of a Zach McKinstry throwing error and hustled home from second base to put the Pirates ahead 3-0.
MUST SEE: Oneil Cruz scores on AGGRESSIVE baserunning 😱 pic.twitter.com/27LNDiRRTB
— MLB (@MLB) July 22, 2025
Reynolds and Pham hit back-to-back RBI singles in the fourth. Two innings later, Reynolds delivered another RBI single before Pham drove in his second run of the game with on a double to left. Ke’Bryan Hayes capped off the three-run sixth with an RBI single.
The Tigers (60-42) got on the board in the top of the fifth when Jake Rogers connected on a three-run home run to center field off Mitch Keller (4-10).
Jahmai Jones hammered a 451-foot two-run home run off Caleb Ferguson in the top of the eighth to bring Detroit within three.
David Bednar converted his 15th save in as many opportunities with a scoreless ninth inning.
Key Moment
Javier Báez represented the potential tying run in the top of the sixth inning but struck out looking against Mitch Keller. The Pirates struck for three runs in the bottom of the frame.
Star of the Game
Spencer Horwitz finished the game 3 for 4 with two doubles, two RBI, two runs and a walk. He’s 6 for 8 through the first two games of the series.
Stat to Know
Spencer Horwitz, Tommy Pham and Oneil Cruz each had two doubles apiece int he win. It was the first time the Pirates had three players hit two doubles in the same game since Aug. 24, 2002 against the Milwaukee Brewers, when Brian Giles, Abraham Núñez and Pokey Reese did so.
Notable Performances
- Mitch Keller: 6.0 innings, six hits, three runs, three walks, five strikeouts, 89 pitches/59 strikes
- Spencer Horwitz: 3 for 4, two doubles, two RBI, two runs, one walk
- Tommy Pham: 3 for 5, two doubles, two RBI, one run
- Bryan Reynolds: 3 for 5, one double, two RBI, two runs
- Oneil Cruz: 2 for 4, two doubles, one run, one walk
- Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 5, one RBI, one run
Noteworthy
- Mitch Keller delivered his 15th quality start of the season, which is tied with Zack Wheeler (Phillies) and Logan Webb (Giants) for the most in baseball. Keller had 15 quality starts all last season.
- After losing 10-straight decisions earlier in the season, Keller has now won three in a row.
- This was the first time the Pirates had at least eight doubles in one game since Aug. 24, 2002 against the Brewers. The last time they had at least eight doubles in a home game was Aug. 4, 1998 against the Colorado Rockies.
- The Pirates signed 2025 first-round pick Seth Hernandez.
Up Next
The Pirates will go for the series sweep behind LHP Bailey Falter (6-5, 4.00 ERA). RHP Troy Melton will make his Major League debut for the Tigers. First pitch: 12:35 p.m. ET.
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