Pirates struggle in return from All-Star break, drop series opener to White Sox

Matt Press, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Jul 18, 2025

Published in Baseball

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PITTSBURGH — Any hopes of the All-Star break offering a reset for the Pirates heading into the second half of the season were quickly diminished Friday night.

Boos rained down from fans at PNC Park a little over midway through the game as the Pirates lost their series opener to the Chicago White Sox, 10-1, marking the club’s ninth loss in their last 10 games. Kickstarted by a solo home run from Edgar Quero, Chicago pounced on Bailey Falter to the tune of three runs in the first inning.

Luis Robert Jr. homered off Falter in the fourth, and although Oneil Cruz drove in Bryan Reynolds with a single in the bottom of the frame, the Pirates’ bats were virtually silent for the remainder of the game. Colson Montgomery chopped a two-run double over Spencer Horwitz at first base in the sixth, and former Pirate Michael A. Taylor lined a three-run double to left in the seventh as part of a four-run inning.

Following a season-high eight-game losing streak, including being held scoreless for an entire series against the Mariners in Seattle, Don Kelly was optimistic his club’s win against the Twins on July 13 could plant momentum and carry over into the second half of the season.

If Friday’s loss to the White Sox — who own the worst record in the American League and second worst in baseball — was any indication, the Pirates are in need of more than four days rest.

It was over when ...

The White Sox plated three runs on a two-out rally in the first. Against a Pirates team that’s been among the league’s worst in offense this year, Chicago’s first-inning flurry was enough to seal the game.

On the mound

Falter struggled early, with Chicago’s batters continually getting hard contact. He went four innings, giving up six hits and four runs, before he was pulled for Braxton Ashcraft. He’s been susceptible to the long ball as of late, and the two home runs he surrendered Friday marked his sixth and seventh in the past three games.

Things didn’t get much easier for Ashcraft. The 25-year-old struggled with command and ran into trouble in the sixth, walking two and loading the bases before Montgomery grounded a two-RBI double over Horwitz at first base. Ashcraft was taken out after giving up two hits, two runs and walking four in one inning of work.

Yohan Ramirez came on in relief — marking his third appearance of the season — and went 1 1/3 innings, giving up a pair of hits and a run. Genesis Cabrera and Isaac Mattson combined to pitch a scoreless final 2 2/3 innings.

At the plate

The Pirates couldn’t produce much against Chicago righty Jonathan Cannon, with Cruz’s fourth-inning RBI single serving as the team’s only run during Cannon’s seven inning-outing. They totaled five hits and batted 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position overall.

In their past 10 games dating back to July 4, they’ve averaged 1.7 runs per game.

Most valuable player

Robert went 2 for 2 at the plate with a home run, two RBIs and two walks. In the bottom of the third, he robbed Isiah Kiner-Falefa of a would-be extra base hit with a spectacular diving grab in center field.

Up next

The Pirates return to PNC Park at 6:40 p.m. Saturday looking to even the series. Mike Burrows (1-3, 4.83 ERA) will get the start for the Pirates, and Adrian Houser (5-2, 1.56 ERA) will be on the mound for the White Sox.