The Pittsburgh Pirates earned a gritty 2-1 win over the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park, taking two of three in the series. For a club sitting at the bottom of the NL Central, this was a signature set, proof they can match up with one of baseball’s best when their pitching and timely hitting click.
Johan Oviedo, making just his second start since returning from Tommy John surgery, was the headline act. The right-hander notched his first major league win since September 2023, limiting Toronto to two hits and one run over five innings while striking out six. His only blemish came on the 10th pitch of the game, when George Springer launched a leadoff homer. From there, Oviedo locked in, retiring 12 of the next 15 batters and stranding a key runner in scoring position in the fourth. The bullpen, Kyle Nicolas, Isaac Mattson, and Dennis Santana, combined for four scoreless innings, with Santana earning his ninth save.
The Pirates’ offense did its damage early. In the bottom of the first, Bryan Reynolds doubled with two outs, Spencer Horwitz drew a walk, and Tommy Pham — still drawing boos from Blue Jays fans after tensions flared in the series opener — ripped a two-run double just inside the left-field line. That swing proved decisive, as Pittsburgh’s bats were held in check the rest of the way, but the early cushion stood thanks to the pitching staff’s precision.
Taking two of three from a Toronto team that entered with the AL’s best record is no small feat. The Blue Jays’ deep lineup was held to just 10 runs across the series, and Pittsburgh’s arms repeatedly won key moments. For a team that has struggled to find consistency against top-tier opponents, this series could serve as a confidence boost heading into the weekend.
After an off day Thursday, the Pirates will stay home to open a three-game set against the Colorado Rockies. Friday’s matchup will feature left-hander Andrew Heaney (5-10, 5.04 ERA) for Pittsburgh against Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela (4-14, 6.68 ERA). Heaney will be looking to rebound from a rough start in Milwaukee on Aug. 11, when he surrendered seven runs, including three homers, in just four innings. Senzatela, meanwhile, has been hit hard all season, with opponents batting .349 against him.
If the Pirates can carry over the sharp pitching and opportunistic hitting they showed against Toronto, they’ll have a prime chance to build momentum against a struggling Rockies club. With Heaney aiming to reset and the offense eager to break out after a low-scoring series, Friday night could set the tone for a productive stretch at PNC Park.