Pirates earn chaotic victory in extra innings to split doubleheader with Tigers

Noah Hiles, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Jun 19, 2025

Published in Baseball

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DETROIT — After losing in a blowout in the afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates grinded out perhaps their most chaotic win of the season in the backend of Thursday’s doubleheader, beating the Tigers 8-4 in 10 innings at Comerica Park. David Bednar was the game’s winning pitcher, improving to 2-5 on the season. Tigers’ reliever Brant Hurter suffered the loss, dropping his record to 2-2.

Nick Gonzales put the Pirates ahead 1-0 with a solo homer to left field to lead off the second inning. Jared Triolo followed Gonzales’ lead, smashing a two-run shot two at-bats later, extending the Pirates’ advantage to 3-0. Andrew McCutchen added an additional tally in the top of the third with his eighth homer of the season, making the score 4-0.

Paul Skenes settled in with his lead, tossing six innings of two run ball. The Tigers tagged Pittsburgh’s ace for a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning on a two out single from Gleyber Torres. That hit was preceded by a runner’s interference call the prior at-bat, that led to a lengthy discussion on the field between the umpire crew and both managers.

The Pirates led 4-2 upon Skenes’ exit. But that lead didn’t last long. Detroit tied the game in the bottom of the seventh on a two run homer from Colt Keith. The blast came against Isaac Mattson, who entered his outing having not allowed a hit in 28-straight at-bats.

With the contest tied at four in the bottom of the ninth inning, heavy rain showers forced an hour-and-15-minute weather delay. The delay was the second to occur on Thursday, with the first game back 40 minutes. When play resumes, Bednar took over for Dennis Santana, who recorded just one out before the game went into a delay, and finished the ninth inning in order.

The Pirates went back ahead in the top of the 10th inning thanks to an RBI single from Ke’Bryan Hayes. Hayes’ knock plated Tommy Pham, who pinch-ran for McCutchen as the team’s automatic runner. The run came on a close play at home and was reviewed. But despite the replay potentially showing that Pham was tagged before touching home, the call was upheld.

Joey Bart delivered a pinch-hit single that scored Hayes two at-bats later, providing a key insurance run. Isiah Kiner-Falefa then put the game on ice later in the frame, singling home Gonzales and Triolo to give the Pirates a four-run advantage. Bednar then finished the job in the bottom half of the 10th.

It was over when …

Kiner-Falefa singled to left field, giving the Pirates a four-run lead in the top of the 10th inning.

On the mound

Skenes delivered his 12th quality start of the season, which is now the most of any pitcher in MLB. His outing, however, wasn’t completely flawless. Skenes walked a career-high five batters. One of those walks came around to score on Torres’ two-run single in the bottom of the fifth. Skenes also matched his season high of nine strikeouts, which paired with his walks, built up a pitch count that prevented him from going further than the sixth inning.

At the plate

Once again, the Pirates went ice cold at the plate upon the opposing starter’s exit. Keider Montero threw five innings of bulk relief, allowing just one run, which came from McCutchen’s solo blast. The Tigers’ bullpen kept that momentum going after Montero left the game, holding the Pirates to the four runs they scored in the first three frames.

Most valuable player

Hayes, who drove home the game-winning run.

Up next

The Pirates will return home Friday to begin a three game weekend series against the Texas Rangers at PNC Park. Friday’s pitching matchup will be between Mike Burrows (1-1, 4.24) and Jacob deGrom (6-2, 2.19), with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.

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