Oneil Cruz homers to lift Pirates past Padres in tight contest
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 26, 2026, 7:05 AM
Last updated Aug 26, 2026
Oneil Cruz hit a two-out solo home run in the ninth inning, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on August 25. The game's only run came off All-Star Mason Miller, marking Cruz's third home run in seven games since returning from the injured list. Paul Skenes delivered a scoreless six-inning outing, retiring the last 12 batters he faced. The victory narrows the Pirates' deficit in the wild card race, now at 6.5 games behind the Padres. Pittsburgh aims to continue the momentum with Bubba Chandler slated to start in the series finale.
- •Cruz's homer was the first allowed by Miller this season.
- •Skenes achieved his first scoreless outing since May 12.
- •Gregory Soto earned the win after a clean eighth inning.
- •Mason Montgomery recorded his sixth save of the season.
- •Pirates recalled RHP Noah Murdock from Triple-A Indianapolis.
- 7:48 AMESPN MLB — Skenes' form, velocity returns in Pirates' win
- 4:12 AMYahoo Sports — Skenes Returns to Form, Cruz Lifts Pirates to Win With Homer off All-Star Miller
"Paul Skenes delivered his best start in months and Oneil Cruz lifted the Pirates to a 1-0 win over the […] The post Skenes Returns to Form, Cruz Lifts Pirates to Win With Homer off All-Star Miller appeared first on Pittsburgh Baseball Now.
"Paul Skenes had his "best outing in awhile" and Oneil Cruz hit the first homer allowed by Mason Miller in over a year with two outs in the ninth Tuesday night, sending the Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the Padres.
Sources
External links- ESPN MLBAug 26, 2026, 7:48 AMSkenes' form, velocity returns in Pirates' win
Paul Skenes had his "best outing in awhile" and Oneil Cruz hit the first homer allowed by Mason Miller in over a year with two outs in the ninth Tuesday night, sending the Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the Padres.
- Yahoo SportsAug 26, 2026, 4:12 AMSkenes Returns to Form, Cruz Lifts Pirates to Win With Homer off All-Star Miller
Paul Skenes delivered his best start in months and Oneil Cruz lifted the Pirates to a 1-0 win over the […] The post Skenes Returns to Form, Cruz Lifts Pirates to Win With Homer off All-Star Miller appeared first on Pittsburgh Baseball Now.
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