Jared Jones made that early run hold up. The Pittsburgh starter worked seven scoreless innings, struck out eight and walked two. Chicago did not score against him, and the Pirates’ bullpen completed the job without surrendering a run.
Luke Weaver struck out two in a scoreless eighth. Mason Montgomery handled the ninth, adding another strikeout as Pittsburgh finished with 11 in all. The White Sox managed only two hits over nine innings and left four runners on base.
Pittsburgh’s offense was not overwhelming either: seven hits and four runners stranded. But Cruz’s two scoring swings gave the Pirates production at exactly the moments they needed it. His homer supplied the initial advantage, and his late single widened the margin before the final six outs were complete.
The contrast was visible in the line score. Chicago never scored; Pittsburgh scored once in the fourth and once in the eighth. The home run was the night’s biggest physical feat, but the sustained pitching performance kept it from becoming just an impressive highlight in an uncertain game.
Jared Triolo contributed a hit, a walk and two stolen bases before scoring Pittsburgh’s second run. Nick Gonzales added a double, the Pirates’ other extra-base hit besides Cruz’s homer. That left Cruz responsible for three of the team’s seven hits as well as every run driven in.
Chicago’s only hits came from Colson Montgomery, who doubled, and Randal Grichuk, who singled. The White Sox used four pitchers. Hagen Smith supplied two scoreless innings with three strikeouts; Erick Fedde worked 5⅓ innings and was charged with both Pittsburgh runs. Bryan Hudson and Jordan Hicks also kept the Pirates scoreless during their appearances.
The Pirates moved to 74–73 with the victory. Chicago dropped to 75–71. For Pittsburgh, the result combined a spectacular individual swing with the quieter work of three pitchers who refused to give the lead back.
