PITTSBURGH — Oneil Cruz continued his strong Spring Training performance by hitting a pivotal three-run home run that helped lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-2 win over the Houston Astros on March 10 at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. Cruz’s homer came in the top of the fifth inning off Astros right-handed pitcher Jayden Murray, giving the Pirates a crucial advantage in the game.
On an 85.1 mph changeup over the middle of the plate, Cruz connected solidly, sending the ball 368 feet at a bat speed of 106.4 mph. His blast not only required precise timing but also drove in left fielder Billy Cook and third baseman Alika Williams, who were on base with two outs. This was Cruz’s first home run of the Grapefruit League, highlighting his impressive opening slate in Spring Training.
So far, Cruz is slashing an outstanding .538/.600/.846 with an OPS of 1.446 across five games, accumulating seven hits in 13 at-bats. The Pirates secured their victory after a rain delay ended play following the top of the sixth inning.
Pittsburgh’s Promising Young Pitchers Face Mixed Results Against Houston
Right-handed rookie Braxton Ashcraft delivered an impressive performance in his second start of Spring Training, pitching three scoreless innings against the Astros. Ashcraft allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out two batters, showcasing his potential for this season.
On the Astros’ side, former Pirates right-handed starter Mike Burrows matched Ashcraft’s three shutout innings, surrendering one hit and one walk but striking out four. Burrows was traded to Houston in the December 19 three-team deal involving the Tampa Bay Rays that brought the Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum, and left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery.
However, right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler struggled in his second Grapefruit League appearance, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing two earned runs on three hits and three walks. Chandler loaded the bases early by walking third baseman Carlos Correa and first baseman Christian Walker, then yielded a single to center fielder Cam Smith. Despite striking out three batters in the inning, including right fielder Taylor Trammell and left fielder Zach Dezenzo, Chandler gave up a run and a solo home run to Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes.
Left-handed pitcher Derek Diamond relieved Chandler to finish the inning with two outs. Chandler had also faced challenges in his Spring Training debut against the New York Yankees on February 23 at LECOM Park in Bradenton, where he allowed four earned runs over 1.2 innings. The Pirates will be counting on Chandler to improve, as he is expected to be a key part of their starting rotation in the upcoming 2026 season.
Additional Highlights From the Pirates’ Win Over the Astros
The Pirates extended their lead in the top of the sixth inning with two more runs. Billy Cook started the rally with a single that scored second baseman Nick Yorke, followed by a single from Alika Williams that drove in Cook, pushing the score to 5-2. Cook had been struggling at the plate with only one hit in eight at-bats before this game but managed to score twice during the victory. He also drew a walk prior to Cruz’s home run earlier in the game.
Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna contributed two hits, reinforcing his importance to the Pirates’ offense as they rely on his power and consistency in the 2026 campaign. With this win, Pittsburgh improved their Grapefruit League record to 7-2, tying them with the New York Yankees for first place in the standings.
Looking Ahead for the Pirates as Spring Training Progresses
Oneil Cruz’s continued success during Spring Training offers optimism for the Pirates heading into the regular season, especially considering his impressive offensive output so far. Pitching performances showed a promising blend of effectiveness and areas needing refinement, particularly with young arms like Bubba Chandler who are poised to play vital roles.
The Pirates’ balance between emerging talent and experienced contributors such as Marcell Ozuna and Brandon Lowe will likely shape their competitiveness in 2026. Their strong Grapefruit League standing indicates a solid foundation early in the preseason, though consistent performances will be critical as they finalize their roster and game strategies.
As the season approaches, attention will remain on players like Cruz and the pitching staff to sustain their promising trajectories and translate Spring Training success into regular season performance for the Pirates.
