Pirates Squander Oviedo’s Excellent Start in 3-1 Loss to Giants

Recap

Despite an excellent start from Johan Oviedo, the Pittsburgh Pirates fell 3-1 to the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on Saturday night.

David Bednar entered the game for Carmen Mlodzinski (1-2) with two on and one away in the eighth inning. After striking out J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto singled home a run and the Giants tacked on another run on the play on a Pirates’ misplay.

Pittsburgh had Conforto caught in between first and second, but Jason Delay committed a throwing error which allowed Joc Pederson to score to put the Giants up 3-1.

Both traded solo homers in the second inning. Mike Yastrzemski hit a solo homer in the top of the frame and Henry Davis hit a solo homer of his own in the bottom half of the inning. For Davis, it was his second-career home run.

Yastrzemski’s home run was the only hit allowed by Oviedo, who matched a career-high with seven innings pitched and 10 strikeouts. The right-hander struck out the final three batters he faced in order in the seventh inning.

Key Moment 

The Pirates failed to score a run with runners on first and second with the top of the order up in the seventh. In the top of the eighth, the Giants took advantage of their first-and-third with one out opportunity.

Star of the Game

Oviedo was brilliant on the mound for the Pirates and turned in what was arguably the best start of his career. He went toe-for-toe with Giants All-Star Alex Cobb.

Stat of Interest

Oviedo became the fifth Pirates’ pitcher to throw 7.0+ innings with 10+ strikeouts while allowing one or fewer hits and the first since Francisco Cordova threw a combined no hitter on July 12, 1997.

Noteworthy

• Although he pitched well in this one, Oviedo didn’t get the win and has not earned a win in a start since May 19. Prior to this start, Oviedo had taken the loss in six-straight starts.
• Jared Triolo extended his hitting streak to eight games with a base hit the other way in the fifth. Over that span, he’s hitting .345 (10 for 29). Triolo has at least one hit in all but two games played this year.
• In addition to his home run, Davis singled in the eighth inning giving him back-to-back, two-hit games.
• The start of the game was delayed by 40 minutes with threats of rain in the area.
• Pirates’ top pitching prospect Quinn Priester is set to make his major league debut on Monday night against the Cleveland Guardians.

Up Next

The Pirates (41-51) and Giants (51-41) will conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon. Osvaldo Bido (1-1, 4.40 ERA) will be on the mound for the Pirates. Left-hander Alex Wood (4-3, 4.68 ERA) will pitch for San Francisco. First pitch: 12:05.