Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Try to Salvage Series vs. Padres, Ugly Homestand

Published

3 weeks ago

May 4, 2025

Danny Demilio

Photo provided by Matt Lynch

The Pittsburgh Pirates wasted a game from starter Bailey Falter and fell 2-1 to the San Diego Padres on Saturday night.

Falter pitched 7.0 innings and allowed just one run but the Pirates left 10 runners on base and lost on David Bednar’s wild pitch in the top of the ninth, which allowed Fernando Tatis Jr. to score.

The Pirates (12-22) will try and salvage the series against the Padres (21-11) and put an end to a 2-7 stretch on Sunday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Rain in the forecast for much of the afternoon through the rest of the day. Temperatures in the mid-to-upper 60s with SW at 6 mph.

LHP Andrew Heaney (2-2, 2.50 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Heaney had his worst start of the season in his last outing against the Cubs, when he allowed four runs in 4.2 innings on Tuesday.

Heaney had a career-high 19.1-consecutive scoreless innings streak dating back to Apr. 12 against the Reds.

Despite a rough one in his last start, Heaney still ranks sixth in the National League in ERA and is third in WHIP (0.89) and fourth in opponent batting average (.181).

The left-hander has been very successful in his career against the Padres. In five appearances/four starts against them, Heaney is 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA (3er/28.0ip).

RHP Stephen Kolek (season debut) Will Start for the Padres

The Padres are recalling Kolek from Triple-A El Paso to make his first start of the season on Sunday.

In five starts with El Paso to begin the year, Kolek went 1-0 with a 6.38 ERA (17er/24.0ip) while opponents hit .317 against him.

Last season with the Padres, Kolek operated exclusively as a relief pitcher and went 3-0 with a 5.21 ERA in 42 appearances.

This will be the first time he faces the Pirates.

Padres Hitters vs. Heaney

Manny Machado: 4 for 18, one double, two home runs, four RBI, four strikeouts
Xander Bogaerts: 8 for 16, two doubles, two home runs, four RBI, two strikeouts
Martín Maldonado: 2 for 15, one walk, eight strikeouts
Jose Iglesias: 2 for 9, two strikeouts
Elias Díaz: 2 for 7, one double, one walk, three strikeouts
Luis Arraez: 1 for 6, one walk, one strikeout
Fernando Tatis Jr.: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Jason Heyward: 1 for 3, one RBI
Oscar Gonzalez: 1 for 2, one home run, one RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Kolek

Tidbits

Falter matched a season-high with 7.0 innings and set a season-high with six strikeouts in his outing on Saturday.
Oneil Cruz reached base in all five plate appearances in the loss — an RBI single and four walks. It was also the second time in his career Cruz reach base five times — also on Aug. 2, 2024 against Arizona.
David Bednar was the losing pitcher and fell to 0-3. He’s lost eight-straight decisions since his last win on May 21, 2024 against the Giants.