Pirates Erupt for 18 Hits in Win Over Angels; Everyone Contributes, Cutch Homers

Andrew McCutchen homered and everyone contributed for the Pittsburgh Pirates in their 9-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium on Tuesday night.

How We Got There

Joey Bart and Ke’Bryan Hayes each recorded RBI singles in the top of the third inning.

After Taylor Ward hit a solo homer in the bottom of the third, McCutchen answered with a three-run black to left center. It was the 38-year-old’s second home run of the season and first since March 30 in Miami.

Andrew McCutchen with a three-run shot! pic.twitter.com/hlPOTcA5T2

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 23, 2025

The Angels (11-11) responded with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth but Isiah Kiner-Falefa put the Pirates (9-15) back up by two with an RBI infield single off Garrett McDaniels in he fifth.

Kiner-Falefa came through again with an RBI ground rule double in the top of the ninth and Bryan Reynolds plated a pair with a single to right.

Chase Shugart (1-0) earned his first big-league win after throwing 2.0 perfect innings of relief. Left fielder Tommy Pham robbed Jo Adell of a home run for the final out to seal the win.

Key Moment

After two batters reached against Justin Lawrence in the eighth, Derek Shelton called on Dennis Santana to face Jorge Soler, who represented the tying run. Santana struck out Soler on three pitches and the Pirates blew the game open in the top of the ninth.

Star of the Game

Andrew McCutchen’s three RBI are the most he’s had in a game since last year on Sep. 10 against the Marlins. He also reach base three times for the third time this season.

Notable Pirates’ Performances

• Bailey Falter: 4.0 innings, five hits, three runs, no walks, five strikeouts, 65 pitches/44 strikes
• Chase Shugart: 2.0 innings, no hits, no runs, no walks, three strikeouts, 28 pitches/17 strikes
• Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 5, one home run, three RBI, one walk, one run
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 3 for 4, one double, two RBI, one walk, one run
• Bryan Reynolds: 3 for 5, two RBI, one walk, two runs
• Tommy Pham: 3 for 5, one run
• Oneil Cruz: 2 for 6, one double, one run
• Joey Bart: 2 for 5, one RBI
• Adam Frazier: 1 for 2, three walks, two runs

Stat to Know

The Pirates set a season-high with 18 hits. Their previous high was 14 last Monday against the Nationals. 15 of those hits went for singles, the most they’ve had in a game since May 17, 2016.

Noteworthy

• Bailey Falter was removed from the game after 4.0 innings with lower back tightness.

Up Next

LHP Andrew Heaney (1-1, 2.13 ERA) will start for the Pirates in the second game of the series on Wednesday night. RHP Jack Kochanowicz (1-2, 6.20 ERA) will start for the Angels. First pitch: 9:38 p.m. ET.