PITTSBURGH — Jared Jones struck out eight, Oneil Cruz hit a home run that dipped the ball into the Allegheny River and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 on Saturday.
Jones (5-6) overcame an early loss of control and ended up allowing two runs in seven innings of solid work. He thus bounced back from two recent turbulent starts.
The 22-year-old right-hander hit Brandon Lowe and Amed Rosario with pitches in the first inning. A 99 mph fastball hit the helmet of third baseman Rosario, who had to leave the game due to facial lacerations.
Cuban Aroldis Chapman allowed an RBI double by his compatriot Yandy Díaz, with two outs in the ninth inning, but forced Mexican Isaac Paredes to hit a ground ball out, to record his second save.
Cruz became the fifth player to send a ball to Allegheny. He found a pitch from Zach Eflin (3-5) in the first inning to send the ball 445 feet from the plate.
For the Rays, Cuban Díaz was 1-for-5 with an RBI. The Mexicans Paredes 2-0, Arozarena 3-0. Dominican José Siri 4-0. Panamanian José Caballero 4-1.
For the Pirates, the Dominican Cruz was 3-1 with two runs scored and one RBI. Mexican Rowdy Téllez went 3-1 with an RBI. Venezuelan Edward Olivares 3-1.
