Pirates Let Falter’s Gem Slip Away, Leave 10 Runners Stranded in Loss to Padres.

PITTSBURGH — Bailey Falter gave the Pittsburgh Pirates an excellent start, but it went to waste in a 2-1 loss to the San Diego Padres at PNC Park on Saturday night. 

How We Got There

Oneil Cruz broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning by ripping a 118.4 mph single that ticked off the glove of second baseman Jose Iglesias and landed in right-center. 

The Padres (21-11) didn’t find the scoreboard against Falter until the seventh inning, when Manny Machado hit a one-out solo home run to left field to tie the game 1-1. Prior to the home run, Falter had only allowed one hit. 

With two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Fernando Tatis Jr., who led off the top of the ninth with a double against David Bednar, scored on a wild pitch. 

Cruz drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the ninth but was doubled off first on a line drive off the bat of Bryan Reynolds.

The Pirates (12-22) have dropped three in a row and seven of their last nine games.

Key Moment

Tatis stole third base against Bednar (0-3) uncontested with one out in the ninth. Bednar struck out Machado for the second out, but his wild pitch allowed the Padres’ leadoff hitter to score the winning run.

Star of the Game

Bailey Falter’s six strikeouts in 7.0-strong innings set a season-high. It was also the second time this season Falter completed 7.0 innings.

Notable Pirates Performances

• Bailey Falter: 7.0 innings, two hits, one run, two walks, six strikeouts, 89 pitches/59 strikes
• Oneil Cruz: 1 for 1, one RBI, four walks
• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 4

Stat to Know

David Bednar’s last win came last year on May 21 against the Giants. Since then, he’s lost eight-straight decisions.

Noteworthy

• Oneil Cruz’s four walks matched a career-high. He also drew four walks earlier this year on 3/29 in Miami and on 9/20/22 vs. the Yankees.
• The start of the game was delayed by 1 hour and 42 minutes due to rain.
• The Pirates placed INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa on the 10-day injured list (retro to May 1) with a right hamstring strain. RHP Tanner Rainey was selected from Triple-Indianapolis.
• RHP Justin Lawrence (right elbow inflammation) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Up Next

The Pirates and Padres will conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon. LHP Andrew Heaney (2-2, 2.50 ERA) will look to bounce back from a rough last start. RHP Stephen Kolek will make his season debut for San Diego. First pitch: 1:35 p.m. ET.