Pirates complete series sweep against Twins behind Ashcraft's strong outing
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 1, 2026, 2:52 AM
Last updated Jun 1, 2026
The Pittsburgh Pirates completed a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins with a 9-3 victory at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon. Braxton Ashcraft impressed on the mound, striking out 11 batters over six innings, and yielding just two runs. The Pirates set the tone early with Ryan O’Hearn's solo home run and a two-run blast from Nick Gonzales, marking his first of the season. The Pirates' offense exploded for five runs in the fifth inning, leading to a comfortable advantage. Next, the Pirates will take a day off before starting a series against the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
- •Pirates score five runs in the fifth inning.
- •Braxton Ashcraft records 11 strikeouts and no walks.
- •Nick Gonzales hits his first home run of the season.
- •Pirates improve to 32-28 with the win.
- •Next game is against the Astros on Tuesday night.
- 2:52 AMYahoo Sports — Ashcraft throws 11 Ks and Pirates complete sweep of Twins
- 8:57 PMYahoo Sports — BROOMS: Pirates complete sweep of Twins; Ashcraft caps off stellar month
"Braxton Ashcraft struck out 11 in six innings, Ryan O’Hearn and Nick Gonzales homered, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the skidding Minnesota Twins 9-3 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep. Ashcraft (5-2) allowed two runs and five hits with no walks, sending the Twins to their fifth straight defeat. Brooks Lee had a two-run homer in the sixth and a solo shot in the ninth for Minnesota.
"Braxton Ashcraft had another strong start for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who completed a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins with a 9-3 win at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 1, 2026, 2:52 AMAshcraft throws 11 Ks and Pirates complete sweep of Twins
Braxton Ashcraft struck out 11 in six innings, Ryan O’Hearn and Nick Gonzales homered, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the skidding Minnesota Twins 9-3 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep. Ashcraft (5-2) allowed two runs and five hits with no walks, sending the Twins to their fifth straight defeat. Brooks Lee had a two-run homer in the sixth and a solo shot in the ninth for Minnesota.
- Yahoo SportsMay 31, 2026, 8:57 PMBROOMS: Pirates complete sweep of Twins; Ashcraft caps off stellar month
Braxton Ashcraft had another strong start for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who completed a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins with a 9-3 win at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon.
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