Pirates Lifeless Again, Swept By AL-Worst White Sox
PITTSBURGH — This one was over before it even started. What a sad statement to write considering the Pittsburgh Pirates were playing the American League-worst Chicago White Sox.
The Pirates were trounced for a third-straight game by the White Sox, falling 7-2 in the series finale at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon.
How We Got There
Miguel Vargas hit a three-run home run off Andrew Heaney in the top of the first inning to give the White Sox (35-65) the lead. Mike Tauchman followed with a solo home run that reached the Allegheny River to extend the lead to 4-0.
Oneil Cruz cut the deficit to three with a sacrifice fly to center field in the second inning.
Colson Montgomery singled home the White Sox fifth run of the game in the fourth before Chicago struck for two more against Heaney (4-9) in the fifth.
White Sox starter Aaron Civale (2-6) held the Pirates (39-61) to one run across six-strong innings.
Gonzales brought home Pittsburgh’s second run of the game by grounding out to second with Andrew McCutchen on third base in the ninth.
The Pirates have lost 11 of their last 12 games.
Key Moment
Miguel Vargas’ three-run home run as the front-end of back-to-back jacks provided all the White Sox needed and more.
Star of the Game
Mike Tauchman finished the game 2 for 3 with a home run, a double, three RBI and a run scored. He was also hit by a pitch.
Stat to Know
This was the White Sox first sweep of the season. They were the only team in baseball not to earn a series sweep in 2025.
Notable Performances
- Andrew Heaney: 4.0 innings, nine hits, seven runs, two walks, one strikeout, 82 pitches/49 strikes
- Yohan Ramirez: 3.0 innings, one hit, no runs, no walks, five strikeouts, 37 pitches/32 strikes
Noteworthy
- Andrew Heaney has a 10.65 ERA (28er/23.2ip) over his last six appearances. He’s allowed 15 home runs over his last 10 starts (46.1 innings), an average of 2.91 home runs per nine innings.
- Andrew McCutchen doubled in the ninth inning and tied Willie Stargell for 180th place on the MLB all-time hit list with 2,232.
- The Pirates were outscored 27-7 during this three-game series. The White Sox had scored 28 runs over their last nine games entering the season.
Up Next
Things won’t get any easier for the Pirates with the AL-leading Detroit Tigers coming to town on Monday night. All-Star RHP Paul Skenes (4-8, 2.01 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh opposite RHP Jack Flaherty (5-9, 4.65 ERA). First pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET.
More about: Pirates