Oneil Cruz’s second-inning, two-run home run proved to be the difference on Saturday night as the host Pittsburgh Pirates blanked the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0 to even up a three-game series.
Cruz’s 410-foot home run to center off Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly (9-6) was his 17th of the season and lifted the Pirates to their fourth win in their past five games.
Closer David Bednar picked up his 16th save in as many opportunities and nailed down Pittsburgh’s 12th shutout of the season with a perfect ninth inning.
Bednar capped a stellar effort by Pittsburgh pitchers, beginning with Andrew Heaney (5-9), who combined with five relievers to allow only four total hits.
The performance flipped the script for the Pirates one game after they were shut out by Arizona 1-0 in 11 innings. The Diamondbacks lost for the fourth time in their past five games and were shut out for only the fourth time this season.
Although it only lasted five innings, Heaney delivered his best start since the month of July began, allowing only two hits and no walks, and struck out four.
Genesis Cabrera, Yohan Ramirez, Caleb Ferguson and Dennis Santana bridged to Bednar with a scoreless inning each to secure the win. Bednar recorded two strikeouts.
Kelly, who has been the subject of trade speculation, gave up two runs, but only one earned over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked one on 99 pitches.
Cruz’s home run followed an error at third by Eugenio Suarez on a ground ball by Tommy Pham, which gave Pittsburgh a baserunner. Cruz then turned on a 91.4-mph cutter from Kelly and sent it over the wall.
Joey Bart also had two hits for the Pirates. All four hits for Arizona were singles. Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Suarez, James McCann and Ketel Marte each had a hit.
The Diamondbacks’ best chance came in the sixth when Gurriel Jr. and Suarez put together back-to-back singles with two outs. But Ramirez struck out Jorge Barrosa, who was called up Friday from Triple-A Reno, to end the threat.
–Field Level Media
