Pirates Unable to Complete Sweep of Red Sox, Lose on Inside-the-Park Home Run

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Aug 31, 2025
Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller throws to an Atlanta Braves batter during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)

The Pittsburgh Pirates were victims of an inside-the-park home run and were defeated 5-2 by the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Sunday afternoon.

How We Got There

The Pirates (61-77) took the lead in the top of the fourth inning when Nick Gonzales scored from third on Lucas Giolito’s wild pitch.

The Red Sox (76-62) tied the game at 1-1 when Roman Anthony bounced out to short, allowing Romy González to score from third in the fifth inning. Durran’s inside-the-park homer put Boston ahead 4-1, and they tacked on another in the sixth inning on Ceddanne Rafael’s RBI infield single.

Alexander Canario hit a solo homer over the Green Monster, his fifth of the season.

The Pirates had the bases loaded with two outs in the eighth but Canario struck out on a pitch in the dirt. Former Pirate Aroldis Chapman tossed a scoreless ninth inning for the save.

Key Moment

Jarren Duran hit a liner into the right-center cap and the ball rolled to the wall after right fielder Alexander Canario unsuccessfully attempted to cut it off. Center fielder Oneil Cruz had trouble retrieving the ball, allowing the speedy Durran to score easily.

Player of the Game

It was the first career inside-the-park home run for Duran, who finished the game 2 for 2 with three RBI, one run and a pair of walks.

Stat to Know

The Pirates had won five straight games against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, which was their second-longest road winning streak against an American League opponent since interleague play began in 1997 (seven in a row vs. the Detroit Tigers from 2017-21.

Notable Performances

  • Mitch Keller 5.0 innings, four hits, four runs (no earned runs, one walk, seven strikeouts, 90 pitches/60 strikes
  • Alexander Canario: 2 for 4, one home run, one RBI, one walk

Noteworthy

  • INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays. LHP Tim Mayza was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies.
  • The Pirates recalled OF Ryan Kreidler from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Up Next

The Pirates are off on Labor Day and will return to PNC Park to face the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. First pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET.

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