The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Diego Padres 1-0 last night. Oneil Cruz hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning, which won the game. It was his 17th of the season.
Four Pirate pitchers held San Diego scoreless in the game. Paul Skenes pitched six scoreless innings, allowing three hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out four. Gregory Soto earned the victory with a perfect eighth inning. Mason Montgomery earned his sixth save of the season. He walked a batter in the ninth, but did not allow a hit while striking out two of the four batters he faced.
The Padres went hitless against the Pirates bullpen and were held to just the three hits Skenes allowed. The Pirates had six hits in the game, two for extra bases. Cruz had the home run and a Bryan Reynolds double in the first inning, but he and Spencer Horwitz were stranded at second and third bases.
The Cruz home run was the first Padres closer Mason Miller has allowed in over a year. The Pittsburgh native and All-Star closer, had not allowed a home run in 73 consecutive appearances since August 5th of 2025.
The win moved the Pirates to within 6-1/2 games of San Diego for the final Wild Card spot. Arizona remains a game back, followed by Miami, who are four games out.
The Bucs and Padres complete their series this afternoon at 4:10pm. WISR pre-game begins at 3:45pm. Bubba Chandler will start for the Pirates.
The Pirates are off Thursday, then begin a three-game series in St. Louis Friday night. The Cardinals are five games back in the Wild Card race.
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