The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled off a wild comeback Tuesday night at PNC Park, erasing a three-run deficit to beat the San Francisco Giants 13-12 in nine innings on a walk-off finish. Oneil Cruz led the offensive charge with four hits and four RBI, while Brandon Lowe went 4-for-6 with a home run. Mason Montgomery earned the win in relief, and the Pirates needed every last run to hold off a Giants lineup that refused to quit, finishing with 12 runs of their own in a game that had no business being as close — or as entertaining — as it was.

Key Performances: Cruz and Lowe Power Pittsburgh Offense

Cruz was the engine of this Pirates offense on Tuesday. He went 4-for-6 with four RBI, doing damage throughout the lineup card. In a game where the bullpen gave back leads and the offense had to keep responding, Cruz was the constant.

Lowe matched him hit-for-hit, also going 4-for-6 while adding a solo home run. Nick Gonzales chipped in with three hits and an RBI in five at-bats. Spencer Horwitz contributed two hits and two RBI in six trips to the plate, and Jacob Gonzalez was efficient off the bench, going 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Here is a snapshot of the Pirates' standout performers on Tuesday:

  • Oneil Cruz: 4-for-6, 4 RBI
  • Brandon Lowe: 4-for-6, 1 HR, 1 RBI
  • Nick Gonzales: 3-for-5, 1 RBI
  • Spencer Horwitz: 2-for-6, 2 RBI
  • Jacob Gonzalez: 2-for-2, 1 RBI

Paul Skenes Struggles, Bullpen Weathers the Storm

It was not a clean night on the mound. Paul Skenes lasted just 4.2 innings, allowing five earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four. The Pirates bullpen was erratic behind him — Yohan Ramírez gave up two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning, and Evan Sisk walked three batters in a third of an inning, surrendering three earned runs without recording an out on a hit. Luke Weaver added two more earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.

The steadying force came from Gregory Soto, who threw two-thirds of a scoreless inning, Camilo Doval, who struck out two in a clean inning of work, and Mason Montgomery, who finished the job with a scoreless ninth. Montgomery picked up the win.

Turning Point: Pirates Erase Three-Run Deficit for Walk-Off Win

Pittsburgh came into this game facing a three-run deficit at some point during the contest and had to climb back through a Giants lineup that produced 12 runs on the night. Turner Hill went 4-for-5 for San Francisco, and Rafael Devers slugged a home run with three RBI. Drew Cavanaugh added three hits and two RBI for the visitors.

Despite the Giants' persistent offense and a Pirates bullpen that gave ground multiple times, Pittsburgh kept answering. The Pirates scored 13 runs on a night when Logan Webb was tagged for nine earned runs in just two innings, giving the home side an early cushion they eventually needed every bit of. When the dust settled in the ninth, Pittsburgh had the lead for good, sending PNC Park home happy with a walk-off 13-12 victory.

Carson Seymour took the loss for San Francisco, allowing two hits in two-thirds of an inning as the Pirates completed the comeback.

What's Next for the Pirates

Pittsburgh will look to build on Tuesday's dramatic win as the series against San Francisco continues. The Pirates offense showed it can put up runs in bunches, but the pitching staff — particularly the back end of the bullpen — will need to be sharper if Pittsburgh wants to keep winning close games. Wednesday's starter and lineup will be worth watching closely after a night that pushed both pitching staffs to their limits.