Oneil Cruz's Three-Run Bomb Saves Pirates in Ninth, and the Rangers Never Saw It Coming

The Pittsburgh Pirates were down to their final strike. The Texas Rangers were one inning away from taking the series. Then Oneil Cruz stepped into the box and changed everything in one swing.

Cruz crushed a three-run homer off the top of the right field foul pole in the ninth inning, capping a stunning rally that sent the Pirates to an 8-4 win over the Rangers on Wednesday night in Arlington. The Pirates were down 4-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth, staring at a series loss. Instead, they clawed back to even the three-game series at one victory apiece.

How Pittsburgh Stormed Back

It started with pinch hitter Andrew McCutchen's infield single to open the eighth. Brandon Nimmo followed with a one-out double, then Jake Burger's two-out single drove in both runners to tie the game at 4-4. The momentum had completely shifted.

When Jalen Beeks took over on the mound for the Rangers in the ninth, replacing Cole Winn, the Pirates weren't done. Nick Gonzales scored the go-ahead run on a slow roller to third base off pinch hitter Jake Mangum's bat. Then Cruz stepped up and finished it with that three-run shot that cleared the foul pole.

Ashcraft and Soto Hold It Together

Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft scattered just four hits while giving up two runs over seven innings, striking out five on 94 pitches. Gregory Soto (1-0) came in and allowed two runs in his only inning of work, but he got the win. Bryan Reynolds went 2-for-4 with two RBIs for Pittsburgh, and Spencer Horwitz added two hits.

The Rangers' Josh Jung hit a two-run homer in the second inning and singled, but it wasn't enough to hold the lead when it mattered most.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.