Cruz connects season’s most powerful home run and guides Pirates’ victory over Texas

ARLINGTON, Texas. — Dominican Oneil Cruz once again demonstrated his tremendous power by hitting a three-run home run with an exit velocity of 116.9 mph, the strongest hit recorded in the Major Leagues so far this season, to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to an 8-4 victory over the Texas Rangers.

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Cruz’s decisive hit came in the ninth inning, when the Pirates had runners on the corners. The hit impacted the top of the right field foul pole, sealing a rally that secured the victory for Pittsburgh. Before the offensive prominence, right-hander Braxton Ashcraft had an outstanding performance from the mound. The pitcher worked seven innings, the most of his career in the Major Leagues, with 94 pitches and sustained dominance, supported by a slider used more often than usual. Although reliever Gregory Soto allowed two runs in the eighth inning, preventing Ashcraft from being credited with the win, Pittsburgh’s offense responded at the opportune moment. The Pirates had previously taken the lead with a three-run rally in the fifth inning, highlighted by RBIs from Brandon Lowe and Bryan Reynolds, also taking advantage of a defensive error by Texas. For the Rangers, Josh Jung had put his team ahead early with a two-run homer in the second inning, but it wasn’t enough against Pittsburgh’s reaction. With this result, the Pirates relied on Cruz’s power and a solid opening by Ashcraft to prevail on the road and add a convincing victory.