Pirates Shutout Padres Behind Bailey Falter Start

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates got a great start from left-handed pitcher Bailey Falter and shutout the San Diego Padres in a 5-0 victory at Petco Park.

The Pirates even the series up after a 3-2 loss in the opener on May 30 and end a 10-game losing streak against the Padres, with their first win since July 25, 2023. It is also the first ever shutout win at Petco Park for the Pirates and their first shutout of the Padres in San Diego since April 27, 2001.

Center fielder Oneil Cruz opened up the game for the Pirates with a leadoff double in the top of the first inning and then designated hitter Andrew McCutchen walked.

Right fielder Bryan Reynolds came through with a single, scoring Cruz, who ran through the stop sign from third base coach Mike Rabelo and got in safely in under three seconds from third base, the fastest time in the MLB this season, giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

The Pirates didn't add on to their lead, as both first baseman Spencer Horwitz and left fielder Alexander Canario struckout and catcher Henry Davis lined out.

Padres right-handed starting pitcher Dylan Cease kept the Pirates from scoring the next two innings, but second baseman Adam Frazier hit a two-out double in the top of the fourth inning.

Third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes came through with a single up the middle off a fastball, scoring Frazier and doubling the Pirates' lead at 2-0.

Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled right afterwards, putting runners on the corners, but Cruz struckout to end any more runs coming across home plate for Pittsburgh.

McCutchen added on to the Pirates lead in the top of the fifth inning, with a solo shot off the first pitch of the at-bat from Cease, an 86 mph slider in the top of the zone, that he hit into the second deck in left field for solo home run, making it 3-0.

This marks McCutchen's fourth home run of the season, his first since April 27 vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dogers Stadium.

It is also the 239th home run in his time with the Pirates, just one shy of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente with 240 home runs, who has the third most in franchise history.