Pirates Secure Fourth Consecutive Win, Defeating Giants 3-1

Liover Peguero launched a home run, marking his first in nearly two years, while Joey Bart contributed a crucial single that drove in the go-ahead run against his former team. The Pittsburgh Pirates triumphed over the struggling San Francisco Giants 3-1 on Tuesday night, extending their winning streak to four games.

Meanwhile, the Giants are reeling, having lost five consecutive games and 11 of their last 13 overall. Their struggles at home have reached a new low, with seven straight losses at Oracle Park, the longest such streak since 2015.

Peguero's solo home run in the fifth inning was a highlight, representing his first major league homer since September 9, 2023. This moment came during a rare misstep from 42-year-old Justin Verlander, who had just secured his first win in a Giants uniform. Verlander recorded seven strikeouts and allowed six hits over five innings but remains 37 wins shy of the coveted 300 mark in his career.

In the eighth inning, Peguero added to his contributions with an RBI grounder off Tyler Rogers (4-3), following Bart's single that had given the Pirates a 2-1 lead. Bart, who spent his initial four seasons with the Giants, played a pivotal role in this victory.

Pittsburgh's Braxton Ashcraft (3-1) showcased his skills by pitching three scoreless innings, while Dennis Santana secured his sixth save by retiring three batters in succession.

On the other side, Giants starter Bailey Falter allowed just one run and two hits across five innings, but it was a critical baserunning error by leadoff hitter Heliot Ramos that marred San Francisco's early momentum. Ramos was caught at second base after umpires invoked the infield-fly rule on Matt Chapman's high popup. As the ball landed between third base and the pitcher's mound, Ramos strayed too far off the bag and was tagged out by third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, resulting in an unusual double play.

Peguero's home run marked only the second long ball surrendered by Verlander in a span of 30 2/3 innings. Looking ahead, Giants ace Logan Webb (9-8, 3.38 ERA) is set to face Pirates right-hander Mike Burrows (1-3, 4.15) in the series finale on Wednesday.