Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Win Series in San Diego?
The Pittsburgh Pirates blanked the San Diego Padres 5-0 to even the series on Saturday night.
Bailey Falter twirled another gem and Andrew McCutchen paced the offense with his fourth home run of the season.
The Pirates (22-37) will now go for the series win over the Padres (32-24) on Sunday.
First pitch is set for 5:10 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.
Weather
Mostly cloudy skies with winds WSW at 6-8 mph.
LHP Andrew Heaney (3-4, 3.41 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates
Heaney struggled in his last start in Arizona, where he allowed five runs on two home runs in 5.0 innings pitched.
It snapped a strong stretch for Heaney, who had allowed four runs in 16.0 innings (2.25 ERA) in three starts entering his most recent.
June has historically been a tough month for the veteran left-hander. His 4.62 ERA in 33 career June starts is his highest of any month.
In six appearances/five starts against the Padres in his career, Heaney is 3-1 with a 1.99 ERA. He allowed four runs in 3.2 innings against San Diego at PNC Park last month.
RHP Randy Vásquez (3-4, 3.58 ERA) Will Start for the Padres
Vásquez last pitched against the Marlins on Monday and allowed three runs on six hits in 6.1 innings.
The right-hander wrapped up a solid month of May, in which he posted a 2.89 ERA (9er/28.0ip) over five starts.
Vásquez has pitched much better at home than on the road this season. He has a 2.57 ERA in five starts at Petco Park compared to a 4.61 ERA in away games.
In three appearances/two starts against the Pirates, Vásquez is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA. He took a no-decision after allowing one run in 5.0 innings against Pittsburgh on May 3.
Padres Hitters vs. Heaney
- Manny Machado: 6 for 21, two doubles, two home runs, four RBI, five strikeouts
- Xander Bogaerts: 10 for 18, three doubles, two home runs, seven RBI, one walk, two strikeouts
- Martin Maldonado: 2 for 15, one walk, eight strikeouts
- Jose Iglesias: 2 for 11, three strikeouts
- Elias Dias: 4 for 9, one double, one home run, one RBI, one walk, three strikeouts
- Luis Arraez: 2 for 9, one walk, one strikeout
- Jake Cronenworth: 2 for 8, one home run, two RBI, two strikeouts
- Fernando Tatis Jr.: 1 for 6, two strikeouts
- Luis Campusano: 1 for 3, two walks
Pirates Hitters vs. Vásquez
- Ke’Bryan Hayes: 3 for 6
- Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 5
- Joey Bart: 0 for 5, one walk, one strikeout
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 0 for 5
- Oneil Cruz: 3 for 4, two RBI, two walks
- Alexander Canario: 1 for 3, two strikeouts
- Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 3, one strikeout
- Adam Frazier: 0 for 3, one walk
Tidbits
- Andrew McCutchen’s home run was his 239th with the Pirates. He’s one shy of tying Roberto Clemente for third on the Pirates’ all-time list.
- Bailey Falter finished May with a 0.76 ERA. That’s the third-lowest by any Pirate in a single month in the Live-Ball Era (since 1920), behind Zane Smith (0.66, September 1990) and Paul Skenes (0.75, September 2024).
- The Pirates win over the Padres on Saturday snapped a 10-game losing streak against San Diego.
Links
Pirates Blank Padres as Falter Twirls Gem; Reynolds, McCutchen Continue to Heat Up
North Allegheny’s Cole Young Getting Promoted to Mariners
Fire Away! Fielding Questions for Weekly PBN+ Pirates Q&A
Perrotto: Spencer Horwitz Getting His Stuff Together
Around the Network
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Friedman Names Penguins Coaching Finalists; PHN Removes One
Steelers Now: Report: Steelers Expect T.J. Watt Extension — But It Could Be a While
Pittsburgh Sports Now: Pitt Included in Strong Top Five List for Three-Star DB
SUBSCRIBE TO PBN+
For full-access to Pittsburgh Baseball Now, CLICK HERE. *** You also get full Penguins and Steelers coverage with your subscription! For a limited time, get a yearly subscription to PBN+ for $12!
More about: Pirates