Pitchers struggle against Cardinals as Pirates lose third straight game
PITTSBURGH - For a brief time, with two home runs in the same inning and some noise rising from a scant crowd of 8,758 at PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates had life.
They trailed 6-3 in the sixth inning aiming to avoid a third straight loss. But after reliever Hunter Barco allowed five runs across the ensuing two frames, that third-straight defeat is exactly what the Pirates were dealt against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.
Braxton Ashcraft gave up six runs in his 4 1/3 inning start as the Pirates fell, 11-7.
The Cardinals tagged Ashcraft early as Nolan Gorman led off the second inning with a deep home run to right field. Then, leading off the third, Victor Scott II turned on a hanging Ashcraft curveball for a homer - his first of the season - that bounced into the Allegheny River.
Ashcraft walked the first two batters he faced in the fifth, and his night was concluded after allowing a ground-rule double and sacrifice fly shortly after.
Through 4 1/3 innings, the 26-year-old righty surrendered six hits and six runs, walked three and struck out seven.
Oneil Cruz put the Pirates on the board in the bottom of the sixth, leading off the inning with a 414-foot home run to center field. Then, with Bryan Reynolds on first, Ryan O'Hearn swatted a two-run shot.
Although the Pirates' bats showed some life, Barco struggled in relief. He gave up three runs in the seventh and another two in the eighth, allowing a 6-3 lead to balloon to 11-3.
There was a bright spot in the ninth when Konnor Griffin - freshly turned 20 years old - launched his second home run of the season, but it wasn't enough for the Pirates.
It was over when …
Cardinals' shortstop Masyn Winn dropped a seventh-inning single into right field to put the visitors ahead, 9-3.
On the mound
There was a question as to who would start Tuesday night's game before Ashcraft was reinstated from the bereavement/family medical emergency list a few hours before first pitch. Ashcraft ultimately got the ball and couldn't find a consistent groove.
He gave up multiple home runs for the first time as a big leaguer and allowed more than two runs for the first time this season.
Barco was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis Tuesday afternoon in lieu of Wilber Dotel to give the Pirates a fresh arm in the bullpen. He was strong for close to two innings after taking over for Ashcraft but imploded in the seventh and eighth. Still, manager Don Kelly let Barco ride out the remainder of the game.
The lefty allowed six hits and five runs across his 4 2/3 innings of work.
At the plate
With a sixth-inning single, Nick Gonzales extended his hitting streak to nine games. He added another hit in the eighth and drove in two runs. O'Hearn went 2 for 4 with three RBIs and Cruz homered for the third time in the last five games, pushing his season tally to a team-high nine home runs.
Eight different Pirates notched a hit.
Most valuable player
Cardinals' first baseman Alec Burleson went 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs.
Up next
After losing three games in a row, the Pirates will look to rebound at 6:40 p.m. ET Wednesday. Bubba Chandler (1-2, 4.88) will get the start for the Pirates and Andre Pallante (2-2, 4.26) will take the hill for the Cardinals.
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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 6:52 PM.