Pirates unable to finish comeback effort, fall to Braves in 11 innings

Noah Hiles, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on May 10, 2025

Published in Baseball

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PITTSBURGH — Less than 24 hours after benefiting from some manager Don Kelly magic, the Pirates returned to their losing ways Saturday afternoon at PNC Park, falling to the Atlanta Braves by a final score of 3-2 in 11 innings.

Atlanta started the scoring in the top of the second when Michael Harris II doubled home Sean Murphy to make the score 1-0. Matt Olson smashed a solo homer the following frame, doubling the Braves’ lead.

Pittsburgh struck back in the bottom of the third, thanks to a two-out single from Joey Bart, which scored Oneil Cruz. The Pirates then tied the game in the bottom of the eighth, when Matt Gorski brought home pinch-runner Ji Hwan Bae with a two-out infield single. That run was set up by Bae, who after being called upon to pinch run for Bart, put himself into scoring position by stealing second base.

The Pirates had an opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the ninth, when both Cruz and Bryan Reynolds started the frame with a walk. However, their chances lessened mightily when Andrew McCutchen bounced into a double play. An inning-ending ground out from Henry Davis, who replaced Bae, then sent the game to extra innings.

Left-hander Caleb Ferguson pitched a scoreless top of the 10th, despite allowing a pair of batters to reach — one via hit by pitch, one via walk. Ke’Bryan Hayes gave Pittsburgh a chance to win the contest in the bottom half with a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Davis, the automatic runner, to third base. However, Davis made the poor choice to run on a one-out ground-ball to third base, and was easily thrown out a the plate, squandering yet another big opportunity for the club.

Olson, who started the 11th inning as an automatic runner, scored the winning run in the top of the 11th thanks to a wild pitch from Chase Shugart. Pittsburgh brought the tying run within 90 feet in the bottom half of the 11th, but late-game subs Liover Peguero and Tommy Pham were unable to finish the job.

Scott Blewett was the game’s winning pitcher, improving to 2-0 on the season, while Shugart suffered the loss, dropping to 1-3. Kelly was ejected from the contest in the top of the sixth inning. Reynolds was also later in the game, after striking out to end the eighth inning. Cruz also made an early exit from the contest, being subbed out before the start of the 11th due to an apparent injury.

It was over when …

Shugart’s wild pitch allowed Olson to score the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th inning.

On the mound

Coming off a pair of unfavorable outings, Heaney was much better Saturday afternoon. The soft-tossing southpaw delivered his fifth quality start of the season, allowing a pair of runs on four hits and three walks, while striking out two over six complete innings.

The Pirates bullpen threw the ball well following Heaney’s exit, throwing scoreless frames in the seventh, eighth and ninth to bring the contest to extra innings. Tanner Rainey, David Bednar and Dennis Santana were respectively responsible for those zeros. The Pirates bullpen allowed just one hit in five total innings of relief.

At the plate

Bart led the charge for the Pirates at the plate, finishing 4 for 4. Each of his four hits were singles. His effort marked the first four-hit game of his career. Bart’s fourth and final hit of the day resulted in the game tying run, as he was replaced by Bae, who scored on Gorski’s single.

However, without Bart, the Pirates offense achieved next to nothing. Pittsburgh stranded 14 men on base in its loss, while going 2 for 18 with runners in scoring position.

Most valuable player

Olson, who homered in the top of the third and scored the game-winning run in the top of the 11th as the automatic runner.

Up next

The Pirates will conclude their weekend series against the Braves Sunday at PNC Park. Carmen Mldozinski (1-3, 6.16) will face reigning National League Cy Young winner Chris Sale (1-3, 4.07). First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET.

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