The Pittsburgh Pirates closed out a nine‑game road trip with a hard‑fought 5‑4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, snapping a late rally by the Cardinals and sealing a series victory.
Milestone Night at Busch Stadium
Early in the game, Esmerlyn Valdez launched a two‑run home run off Matthew Liberatore, putting the Pirates ahead 2‑0. The lead grew when Jared Triolo smashed a 412‑foot solo shot to the second deck in left field, extending the advantage to 4‑0.
Oneil Cruz added two runs via steals, showcasing his speed on the bases and earning the Player of the Game honor. His aggressive baserunning forced a dropped popup by Ramón Urías, allowing Cruz to score in the third inning.
Braxton Ashcraft earned his 14th win of the season, becoming the first Pirate to reach that milestone since Jameson Taillon and Trevor Williams in 2018. His performance underscored a strong outing that kept the Cardinals at bay.
Reliever Mason Montgomery recorded his seventh save of the season, tossing 10.2 scoreless innings in August and preserving the Pirates’ lead during a critical stretch.
Looking Ahead
The Pirates will host the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on Tuesday night, continuing their home stretch after the road trip. The upcoming matchup offers a chance for Pittsburgh to build momentum as they aim to stay competitive in the National League Central.