Pirates Push Past Boston With Olivares Homer; Make Roster Move

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Red Sox 4-1 on Saturday, relying on a late home run from Edward Olivares to slip past Boston.

Jared Jones allowed eight baserunners in five innings pitched but managed to prevent any earned runs from crossing. He struck out five batters, erased two leadoff walks thanks to a pair of double plays induced and received a handy assist from catcher Henry Davis, who showcased his 70-grade arm throwing out a runner trying to steal second base.

Boston still managed to tag Jones for an unearned run despite his best attempts at a Houdini. Jones allowed a single and a walk in the fourth inning, and an uncharacteristic throwing error from 2023 Gold Glover Ke’Bryan Hayes—who was trying to prevent an infield single—allowed Triston Casas to score from second on a play that could’ve ended the inning.

The Pirates loaded the bases in the sixth, and Connor Joe plated the tying run with a sacrifice fly.

Newly-christened reliever Roansy Contreras froze two runners in scoring position during the seventh, allowing a single and a walk before a Jason Delay passed ball put him in a jam with one out. Contreras worked a strikeout, then forced former Pirate Pablo Reyes to fly out to preserve the tie.

Alika Williams walked and Billy McKinney doubled to start the eighth, then Olivares brought them both home with his opposite-field blast to put the Pirates ahead for good.

Cameron Junker took over for the save attempt, drawing a double play and a strikeout to close the game.

Pirates Transactions

Following the win, Pittsburgh made a rumored roster move official, granting veteran pitcher Chase Anderson his release from the minor league deal he signed in February and dropping the number of active players in big league camp down to 40. 

The Pirates will play their second of three straight home games tomorrow, sending Martin Perez to the bump against Marcus Stroman of the New York Yankees at 1:05 p.m. EDT.