Pirates Snap Losing Streak with 2-1 Win Over Twins
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Spencer Horwitz delivered a clutch, bases-loaded RBI groundout in the ninth inning Sunday, helping the Pittsburgh Pirates snap their eight-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa had a standout game for the Pirates, matching a career high with four hits.
The go-ahead rally in the ninth began with Ke’Bryan Hayes singling off Twins closer Jhoan Duran (5-4). Oneil Cruz followed with an infield single as a pinch-hitter, and Kiner-Falefa added another hit to load the bases. Horwitz then hit a sharp grounder to second baseman Brooks Lee, who made a diving stop. Attempting to start a double play, Lee couldn’t get the ball cleanly out of his glove, and settled for a force at first — allowing Hayes to score the decisive run.
Reliever Dennis Santana (3-2) threw a scoreless eighth inning to earn the win, while David Bednar closed it out in the ninth for his 13th save.
The Twins, who had a 6-3 record on their nine-game homestand, missed a chance to reach .500 for the first time since June 17. Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, and Harrison Bader each had two hits, while Buxton also drove in Minnesota’s only run with an RBI double in the third inning — one day after hitting for the cycle.
Tommy Pham gave Pittsburgh its first run with a solo homer in the second. Pirates starter Mitch Keller pitched six solid innings, giving up one run, but once again received limited run support — Pittsburgh has scored one run or fewer during 11 of his 20 starts this season.
Keller’s 14 quality starts are tied for second-most in the majors, alongside Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler and trailing only San Francisco’s Logan Webb, who has 15.
Minnesota had a chance to break the tie in the eighth with two on and one out, but Willi Castro’s weak dribbler led to DaShawn Keirsey Jr. being thrown out at third, and Trevor Larnach followed with a flyout to end the threat.
Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and one earned run. He’s been strong lately, surrendering just five earned runs over his last 30 2/3 innings across six starts.
Up Next
Both teams are off until Friday following the All-Star break. The Pirates will host the Chicago White Sox, while the Twins head to Colorado to face the Rockies.
