Heroics from Henry Davis, Isaac Mattson lead Pirates to series win over Phillies

Noah Hiles, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Jun 7, 2025

Published in Baseball

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PITTSBURGH — Deadlocked in a tie against their Keystone state rival, Henry Davis put the Pirates ahead for good with a solo homer to left-center field in the bottom of the seventh inning, securing a 2-1 victory over Phillies Saturday afternoon at PNC Park.

Davis’ homer came against Phillies starter Ranger Suarez, who was the game’s losing pitcher. Isaac Mattson, who pitched a scoreless frame in the top half of the seventh, earned the win, the first of his major league career.

Similar to Friday evening, Philadelphia was first to score, jumping ahead 1-0 in the first inning on a solo homer from Kyle Schwarber. However, the Pirates were again quick to respond, as Bryan Reynolds singled home Nick Gonzales, who led the frame off with a triple, in the bottom half of the first to tie the game at 1.

Pirates starter Andrew Heaney was stellar, allowing one run, which was earned, over six-plus innings. His day, however, came to an unfortunate end in the top of the seventh. With a runner on second and no outs, Heaney threw a wild pitch that sailed to the backstop. He was then examined by the training staff before exiting the game, mid at-bat. Heaney was replaced by Mattson, who successfully stranded the runner at third base, keeping the game tied at 1. The Pirates later announced that Heaney left the game due to cramping in his left calf.

Davis’ heroics came in the bottom half of that inning, with one out and nobody on. Suarez, who allowed the two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five, allowed the go-ahead homer on a first-pitch change-up located knee high, inches off the outer edge of the plate. But despite the seemingly safe placement, Davis connected, sending the ball 401 feet to left-center field, landing in the Phillies’ bullpen.

Dennis Santana and David Bednar pitched scoreless frames respectively in the eighth and ninth inning to secure the win. Bednar earned the save, his eighth of the year.

It was over when ...

Davis left the yard. The homer marks his second in as many days and his third in the last two weeks.

On the mound

Mattson’s first major league win came in heroic fashion. He entered the game inheriting not only Heaney’s 2-0 count, but also the go-ahead run on third base and no outs. Despite being behind in the count, he battled back to strike out Nick Castellanos looking for a key first out.

Mattson then forced JT Realmuto to fly out to shallow right for a second out. The ball was not hit deep enough for Alec Bohm, the runner on third base, to tag and rush home. With two outs, Philadelphia called upon pinch-hitter Bryson Stott to drive Bohm in. But instead, Mattson finished the job, getting Stott to fly out to center to end the frame.

At the plate

The Pirates out-hit the Phillies for a second straight game, this time by a count of 5-4. Davis was the lone Pirate to contribute a multi-hit effort. Gonzales had the only other extra-base hit for Don Kelly’s club.

Most valuable player

Davis, whose homer secured a series victory. The Pirates backstop finished Saturday’s contest 2 for 3 with a single in addition to the long ball.

Up next

The Pirates conclude their three-game series against the Phillies on Sunday at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. Paul Skenes (4-6, 2.05) will face Cristopher Sánchez (5-1, 3.15) on the mound.

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