Pirates win series opener as Blue Jays implode late

Colin Beazley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Aug 18, 2025

Published in Baseball

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PITTSBURGH — Some late game fireworks — and a late game defensive implosion from the Toronto Blue Jays — gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 5-2 win against Toronto on Monday night at PNC Park.

The Blue Jays had three errors and a wild pitch in the final two innings, allowing the Pirates to score three runs. The winning run scored in the seventh when Henry Davis doubled, advanced to third on a bunt, then scored on a Brendon Little wild pitch. Little also walked two and threw a pickoff attempt into right field, while another run scored in the eighth on a throwing error from pitcher Seranthony Dominguez and a bad throw to second from catcher Tyler Heineman.

The fireworks came in the seventh. With the Pirates ahead 3-2, Little walked left fielder Tommy Pham on four pitches. Pham flipped his bat, then Heineman had words for him. Pham confronted Heineman, leading to the benches clearing and both bullpens running in.

The Pirate fans in attendance chanted “USA.”

Before the late-game dramatics, Paul Skenes threw six solid innings, although he allowed his first earned run at home since June 3. He allowed five hits and two runs, both earned, and walked one. He struck out eight, the third time in his last four starts he’s struck out eight.

Toronto starter Kevin Gausman mostly matched him, giving up five hits and two earned runs in five innings. He walked two and struck out four.

The Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Second baseman Nick Gonzales singled, advanced to second on a Jared Triolo walk, then scored on a single from center fielder Alexander Canario. It was Canario’s first hit — and first RBI — since July 7.

The Blue Jays struck back in the top of the third, scoring twice off Skenes on two singles and a double. The double, hit by right fielder Addison Barger, was the hardest hit ball (115.6 miles per hour) that Skenes has allowed in his career.

The Pirates tied it in the bottom of the third and nearly took the lead. First baseman Spencer Horwitz, playing against his former team for the first time, doubled, advanced to third on a single from Pham, then scored on a fielder’s choice from right fielder Bryan Reynolds. Triolo nearly brought in a third run by beating out a grounder up the middle, but Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stretched and did the splits to narrowly get Triolo. Guerrero Jr. left the game after with left hamstring tightness.

It was over when …

Toronto handed the game to the Pirates with the late errors.

On the mound

The Pirates’ low leverage relievers played a big role. Lefty Evan Sisk pitched a 1-2-3 seventh with two strikeouts, earning his first win. Kyle Nicolas was trusted to face the top of the Blue Jays’ order in the eighth and allowed a single, but induced a double play.

At the plate

The Pirates scored five runs on six hits.

Most valuable player

Skenes wasn’t dominant, but steadied the Pirates, as he’s done all season.

Up next

The Pirates and Blue Jays continue their three-game series at 6:40 p.m. ET Tuesday. Mitch Keller (5-11, 4.13 ERA) will face Blue Jays veteran Max Scherzer (3-2, 3.83).

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