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Brought into a 2-2 game, Sterner retired Alejandro Kirk and Daulton Varsho on groundouts to start the bottom of the ninth. After that, though, he gave up a single to Kazuma Okamoto, a double to Ernie Clement and a game-winning single to Andrés Giménez. He already appeared to be behind Hogan Harris and Mark Leiter Jr. in line for saves on the A’s, and this one won’t improve his standing.

It’s another impressive start for Holmes, who scuffled in his debut with the Cubs and has been outstanding since that effort. He allowed just two hits — both singles — and he struck out five against two walks. He’s allowed just one run over his last three starts over 19 innings, and that’s lowered his ERA to a 2.26 on the season. Holmes has basically the perfect defense playing behind him, and he’s taken advantage of it thus far. He’ll have a tough test Monday when he faces the Brewers.

Pfaadt gave up three of those runs on an Ian Happ homer, and also gave up an RBI single to Michael Bush. After going 32 2/3 scoreless frames in a row, Pfaadt has now allowed nine runs over his last two starts, although he pitched better than this line indicates outside of that roundtripper allowed to Happ. He’s slated to face the Phillies next Monday.

One swing was all it took to win this one. The game remained scoreless into the ninth after an incredible pitcher’s duel between Paul Skenes and Michael King. With two outs and Padres’ closer Mason Miller on the mound, Cruz crushed a changeup for a solo home run to right field to give the Pirates the lead with what would be the game-winning run. The 27-year-old outfielder is up to 17 homers, 49 runs scored, 52 RBI, and 22 steals while slashing .260/.348/.491 across 310 plate appearances.

Montgomery was summoned in the ninth inning to close out the game with a one-run lead over the Padres. He worked around a walk, striking out two batters to lock down the win for the Pirates with his sixth save of the season. Montgomery has secured the closer role in Pittsburgh with solid work over the second half.

Skenes was brilliant on Tuesday in San Diego, holding the Padres scoreless over six innings. He scattered just three hits and did not walk a batter while striking out four. He’d depart with the game still scoreless after six in what was a pitcher’s duel. It was Skenes’ first scoreless outing since May 12. The 24-year-old right-hander will take a 3.79 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 175/41 K/BB ratio across 145 innings into a start against the Giants in Pittsburgh next Tuesday.

King worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning by striking out the side to keep the Pirates off the board. He settled in nicely, stranding five more baserunners over six more scoreless innings in a pitcher’s duel against Paul Skenes. He’d end his day after seven frames with the game still tied at zero. He struck out seven. The 31-year-old right-hander will take a 3.23 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 135/60 K/BB ratio across 156 innings into a start against the Reds in Cincinnati on Monday.

Burger’s home run was his 23rd of the season. He hit a solo shot off Anthony Kay in the second inning. Burger has now hit home runs in back-to-back games and has four home runs in his last 10 games. He’s hitting .236 with a .731 OPS and 76 RBI this year.

Houser started shaking out his arm after a pitch in the second and made no attempt to stay in afterwards. The veteran was making his return the rotation tonight after more than two months in the bullpen. It was very poor timing for the Giants, who also had Monday’s starter, Carson Whisenhunt, leave early with what turned out to be a very serious arm injury.

Peters’ home run was his 11th of the season. He hit a solo shot off Peyton Gray in the sixth inning. Peters has now hit a home run in four consecutive games. He’s hitting .277 with an .802 OPS and 50 RBI this year.

Campero was hurt while advancing to second on a wild pitch. Jose Siri replaced him in the game against the Guardians.