The Pittsburgh Pirates edged out the Atlanta Braves with a 3-1 victory on a scorching day at Truist Park. With this win, the Pirates improved their record to 70-90, holding the 5th place in the NL Central. The Braves, on the other hand, dropped to 75-85, remaining in 4th place in the NL East.
The Game Unfolds
The game kicked off under clear skies with temperatures reaching 100 degrees. The Pirates failed to score in the first two innings, but the Braves managed to get on the board in the second inning, taking an early 1-0 lead. Spencer Strider, the Braves’ starting pitcher, held the Pirates at bay until the third inning when the Pirates tied the game at 1-1.
Pittsburgh took the lead in the sixth inning, capitalizing on their chances and pushing two more runs across the plate. Their timely hitting proved to be the difference, as the Pirates extended their lead to 3-1. Despite the Braves’ efforts, they could not muster any more offense against the Pirates’ bullpen.
Bubba Chandler put forth a solid performance for the Pirates, pitching 5.67 innings and allowing just one run on four hits. Chandler also struck out six Braves hitters, earning his third win of the season and improving his ERA to 4.56. The Pirates’ bullpen was equally effective, combining for 3.33 scoreless innings and sealing the victory.
Key Performances
Spencer Strider took the loss for Atlanta, giving up three runs on eight hits over six innings. Despite striking out five batters, Strider’s record fell to 7-13 with an ERA of 4.45. The Braves’ bullpen held the Pirates scoreless for the remainder of the game, but the damage had already been done.
At the plate for Pittsburgh, several players contributed to the victory. Connor Joe went 2-for-5 with two strikeouts, while Connor Wong and Isiah Kiner-Falefa each added a hit to the Pirates’ ten-hit effort. The Pirates’ lone home run came from Henry Davis, who launched his first of the season.
For the Braves, Darius Baldwin was a standout performer, going 2-for-4 with a double and a triple. Marcell Ozuna provided the Braves’ only RBI of the game. However, the Braves’ lineup struggled against the Pirates’ pitching, managing only five hits.
Final Thoughts
The Pirates’ win was a testament to their effective pitching and opportunistic hitting. Don Kelly’s team showed resilience, overcoming an early deficit and holding off a potent Braves offense. With just two games remaining in the regular season, the Pirates aim to finish strong and look forward to building on their progress for next year.
Meanwhile, the Braves will need to regroup and aim to finish their season on a high note. Despite being out of playoff contention, Brian Snitker’s squad will look to use these final games to evaluate talent and prepare for the 2026 season.
Both teams will meet again on September 28th for the final game of their series at Truist Park. As the regular season winds down, fans will eagerly watch to see how these teams fare in their remaining games.
