The Pittsburgh Pirates handled the San Francisco Giants 5-2 on Thursday, September 3 at PNC Park, leaning on a patchwork but effective pitching staff to secure the three-run victory. Khristian Curtis picked up the win despite a bumpy outing, while Mason Montgomery nailed down the save with a clean ninth inning. Five Pittsburgh relievers combined to strand Giants runners and keep San Francisco's offense quiet when it mattered most, giving the Pirates a clean home win to put in the books.

Pittsburgh Pirates 5, San Francisco Giants 2: Final Score and Pitching Summary

The story Thursday was always going to be the arms. With no starter listed in the boxscore highlights, the Pirates pieced together a bullpen game that, by and large, got the job done. Curtis worked three innings and took the ball as the longest-tenured arm of the night for Pittsburgh — but it was not smooth sailing. He allowed two earned runs, one hit, and three walks across those three frames, finishing with two strikeouts. The Giants got their two runs on his watch, which is worth noting. Still, he kept them from doing more damage, and the offense gave him enough cushion to walk away with the win.

Bullpen Steps Up: Lake Bachar, Yohan Ramírez, Luke Weaver, and Mason Montgomery Deliver

Once Curtis exited, the Pirates' bullpen slammed the door. Lake Bachar was outstanding, tossing 2.1 innings without allowing a hit, striking out three, and walking two — the kind of high-leverage, zero-damage work that wins close games. Brandon Eisert worked 0.2 innings, surrendering one hit but no runs. Then came a three-inning stretch of near-perfect baseball: Yohan Ramírez threw a spotless inning with a strikeout, Luke Weaver matched that with his own 1-2-3 frame and a punchout, and Montgomery closed it out in the ninth — one inning, one strikeout, zero hits, zero runs. Save secured.

San Francisco's Blade Tidwell Takes the Loss

Giants starter Blade Tidwell worked five innings and was his own worst enemy at times, issuing five walks to go along with two hits and two earned runs. He struck out five Pirates hitters, so the stuff was clearly there — but the command issues kept Pittsburgh in the game and allowed the Pirates to generate enough offense to build a lead Tidwell and the San Francisco bullpen could not recover. Reiver Sanmartin came on in relief and allowed one earned run in one inning. Ryan Walker also surrendered a run in his inning of work, which helped the Pirates extend their margin.

Turning Point: Pittsburgh's Offense Exploits Tidwell's Control Problems

Tidwell's five walks in five innings were the engine of Pittsburgh's offense. When a starting pitcher hands out free passes at that rate, runs follow — and they did for the Pirates. San Francisco's bullpen had its own issues, with both Sanmartin and Walker giving up runs after Tidwell departed, ultimately pushing Pittsburgh's final total to five. The Giants never found an answer once they fell behind.

What's Next for the Pittsburgh Pirates

  • The Pirates will look to build on this home win as the 2026 regular season enters its final weeks.
  • The bullpen's performance Thursday — particularly Bachar's hitless 2.1 innings and the clean work from Ramírez, Weaver, and Montgomery — will be an encouraging sign heading into the stretch run.
  • Curtis will need to sharpen his command if he is going to be a reliable option down the stretch; three walks in three innings is a number to watch.
  • PNC Park gave the Pirates a boost Thursday, and continued home success will be important as September deepens.