Ryan O'Hearn homers and drives in 4 to lift Pirates over Orioles 8-2 for 5th straight win

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Pittsburgh Pirates' Ryan O'Hearn celebrates on second base after driving in a run off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Bassitt during the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Pittsburgh, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) — Pittsburgh Pirates' Ryan O'Hearn celebrates on second base after driving in a run off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Bassitt during the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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4:33 PM on Sunday, April 5

By JOHN PERROTTO

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ryan O’Hearn homered and matched a career high with four RBIs as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 on Sunday to sweep a three-game series and extend their winning streak to five.

O’Hearn hit a two-run shot to right-center in the first inning. In the second, his two-run double highlighted a four-run outburst as the Pirates pushed their lead to 6-0.

Oneil Cruz made it 8-1 with a two-run homer to center field in the sixth. He also singled home a run in the second.

Cruz’s homer came off left-hander Cade Povich. The center fielder is 7 for 10 with three homers against lefties after going 11 for 108 with one homer last season.

That was plenty of support for Braxton Ashcraft (1-1), who allowed one run and four hits in six innings. He had a career-high eight strikeouts and no walks.

Pirates starters have given up two earned runs or fewer in each of their eight games since 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes was tagged for five runs while only getting two outs against the New York Mets on opening day.

Orioles starter Chris Bassitt (0-2) was roughed up for six runs in two innings. Signed to an $18.5 million, one-year contract as a free agent just before spring training, the right-hander has given up 10 runs over 6 1/3 innings in two starts.

Pete Alonso had an RBI double and Taylor Ward got three hits for the Orioles, who lost for the fifth time in six games.

Up next

Orioles: Were undecided on a starter for Monday night when they open a three-game road series against the Chicago White Sox and Erick Fedde (0-1, 5.40 ERA).

Pirates: Begin a three-game home series with San Diego on Monday night as rookie RHP Bubba Chandler (0-0, 0.00) faces RHP Germán Márquez (0-1, 12.00).

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