Pirates’ Jared Jones Perfect Through 6 But Bart Sinks Former Team
Jared Jones tossed six-perfect innings for the Pirates before turning things over to the bullpen, but Joey Bart burnt his former team by leading the Braves to a 3-0 win with a two-run home run in the eighth inning at PNC Park on Wednesday.
Scoring Plays
Top 8th, 2-0 ATL: Joey Bart hit a two-out two-run home run to left field off Dennis Santana to break the scoreless tie.
Top 9th, 3-0 ATL: The Braves (53-38) tacked on another run against Isaac Mattson. Drake Baldwin singled home Michael Harris II on a base hit to center.
Key Moments
Ozzie Albies broke up the combined perfect-game bid with a single to left field with one out in the seventh inning. The ball ticked off the glove of the leaping Nick Gonzales at third base.
After Dennis Santana retired the first two batters he faced in the eighth inning, Mike Yastrzemski doubled before Joey Bart’s two-run home run to left-center on the first pitch of the at-bat.
Player of the Game
Jared Jones became the first Pirate in the Modern Era to produce a perfect outing of at least six innings before leaving with a perfect game still intact.
Stat to Know
This was the first time Jared Jones complete six innings since tossing seven innings against the Nationals on Sept. 8, 2024. His eight strikeouts were the most he’s had in a start since punching out nine in the same game against the Nats.
Notable Performances
- Jared Jones: 6.0 innings, no hits, no runs, no walks, eight strikeouts, 77 pitches/53 strikes
- Dennis Santana: 1.0 inning, two hits, two runs, no walks, two strikeouts, 16 pitches/13 strikes
Noteworthy
- The Pirates (47-46) had scored 23 runs over their last two games before getting shut out in this one.
- Brandon Lowe extended his hitting streak to seven games.
- The Pirates placed C/1B Endy Rodríguez on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 6) with a left groin strain. C/1B Rafael Flores Jr. was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.
Up Next
RHP Mitch Keller (6-6, 5.02 ERA) takes the mound for the Pirates in Thursday’s rubber match. He’ll be opposite RHP Bryce Elder (5-6, 4.01 ERA). First pitch: 12:35 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB Network/100.1FM & AM 1020
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Why pull Jones? 6 perfect innings only to turn it over to the worst bullpen.
If he was pulled because of concern for his arm, he shouldn’t be in starting rotation. It’s as if they want to lose.