ATLANTA — The Pittsburgh Pirates unleashed a power surge Friday night, crushing the Atlanta Braves 9-3 behind a breakout performance from Spencer Horwitz, who blasted two home runs and drove in four runs to lead the charge.
Horwitz and Pham Power the Pirates
The game’s momentum shifted early when Horwitz drew a walk to start the second inning. Just two pitches later,
Tommy Pham launched a two-run homer off Braves starter Joey Wentz, putting the Pirates ahead 2-1. Horwitz wasn’t done—he hammered a solo shot in the seventh to extend the lead to 5-2, then capped the night with a three-run blast in the ninth, sealing the Pirates’ emphatic win.
Horwitz finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, while Pham’s homer and four other Pirates—Nick Gonzales, Bryan Reynolds, Nick Yorke, and Henry Davis—each collected two hits, contributing to Pittsburgh’s 14-hit onslaught.
Braves’ Bats Go Cold at Crucial Moments
Despite home runs from
Matt Olson and
Michael Harris II, the Braves struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-9 and leaving nine men stranded. Ronald Acuña Jr. provided a bright spot with three hits, but Atlanta’s offense couldn’t keep pace.
Joey Wentz, the Braves’ starter, was tagged for four runs and eight hits over four innings. The Pirates’ Mitch Keller allowed a run before reliever Yohan Ramírez entered in a key spot, retiring Olson on a foul-tip strikeout to escape a jam in the third.
Rain Delay and Late-Inning Fireworks
A 50-minute rain delay in the seventh didn’t cool off the Pirates. When play resumed, Horwitz’s second homer ignited a four-run ninth inning, putting the game out of reach for Atlanta.
Braves’ Winning Streak Snapped
This loss marks the Braves’ second straight defeat after a 10-game winning streak, raising questions about their momentum heading into the final games of the season. Atlanta had just lost to the Nationals before a day off, and now faces the challenge of rebounding quickly.
What’s Next: Season Finale Showdown
The series continues Saturday with
Spencer Strider (7-13, 4.45 ERA) set to start for Atlanta against Pittsburgh’s
Bubba Chandler (3-1, 4.56 ERA) in the penultimate game of the regular season. With playoff positioning and pride on the line, both teams will be looking to make a statement.
Key Takeaways
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Spencer Horwitz’s two home runs and four RBIs powered the Pirates’ offense-
Tommy Pham added a crucial two-run homer-
Braves left nine runners on base and went hitless with runners in scoring position-
Atlanta’s recent hot streak has cooled with back-to-back lossesAs the regular season winds down, all eyes are on how the Braves respond and whether the Pirates can finish strong.
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