Pirates Fall Short in Rubber Match vs. Giants; Can’t Hold Late Lead
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates couldn’t hold their late lead and were defeated 4-2 by the San Francisco Giants in Wednesday’s rubber match at PNC Park.
How We Got There
Nick Gonzales delivered a two-out RBI single to give the Pirates (49-66) a lead in the first inning.
Pirates starter Andrew Heaney retired 12 in a row before Jerar Encarnacion tattooed a solo homer to left in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game 1-1.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa led off the bottom of the inning with a single, stole second, advanced to third on Robbie Ray’s wild pitch and scored on Tommy Pham’s sac fly to put the Pirates back up by a run.
The Giants (58-57) loaded the bases off Pirates reliever Isaac Mattson in the eighth before Matt Chapman hit a game-tying sac fly off Dennis Santana.
Smith pinch-hit for Christian Koss with one out in the ninth and doubled home Jung Hoo Lee. Patrick Bailey followed with an RBI single off Santana (3-4) to extend the lead to 4-2.
Key Moment
Oneil Cruz struck out with two on and two out in the bottom of the eighth inning against Giants reliever Ryan Walker (4-4). Nick Gonzales represented the go-ahead run at second base.
Star of the Game
Nick Gonzales finished the game 3 for 4 with an RBI. He’s hitting .462 (12 for 26) over his last six games.
Stat to Know
The Pirates were 37-3 when leading after seven innings this season.
Notable Performances
- Andrew Heaney: 4.2 innings, two hits, one run, no walks, one strikeout, 76 pitches/47 strikes
- Dennis Santana: 1.1 innings, three hits, two runs, no walks, no strikeouts, 22 pitches/16 strikes
- Nick Gonzales: 3 for 4, one RBI
- Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 4
- Tommy Pham: 1 for 2, one RBI, one sac fly, one walk
Noteworthy
- Oneil Cruz is now hitless in his last 20 at-bats after striking out in his lone at-bat of the game.
- Andrew Heaney now has a 3.15 ERA (21er/60ip) in 11 starts at PNC Park this season. He has a 6.55 ERA (40er/55) in 12 appearances/11 starts on the road.
Up Next
RHP Paul Skenes (6-8, 2.02 ERA) will start for the Pirates on Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds in the first of a four-game series at PNC Park. He’ll be opposed by RHP Brady Singer (9-8, 4.36 ERA). First pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET.
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