Johan Oviedo’s second start for the Pittsburgh Pirates went much better than his first, even though the first batter he faced went deep.
A leadoff home run to George Springer was the only run Oviedo allowed over five innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-hander gave up two hits and one walk while striking out five.
Tommy Pham’s two-run double in the bottom of the first proved to be the difference as the Pirates beat the Blue Jays, 2-1, Wednesday afternoon before 14,019 at PNC Park.
It marked the first series win for the Pirates since they swept the San Francisco Giants from July 28-30. The Pirates (54-74) also improved to 23-27 in one-run games.
It was a nice bounce-back start for Oviedo (1-0), who earned his first victory since Sept. 21, 2023. His return to the majors from Tommy John surgery was abbreviated after he gave up two runs on two hits and three outs with three strikeouts on 43 pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants on Aug. 4, forcing the Pirates to use four relievers to cover the final eight innings of the 5-4 win.
That prompted the Pirates to option Oviedo to the minors to make room for bullpen help. Oviedo was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. To make room on the active roster, the Pirates optioned left-handed reliever Evan Sisk.
Springer started the game by working a full count, then hitting a slider on his 10th pitch 355 feet down the left field line for his 21st home run. It was the 61st leadoff homer of Springer’s career.
Oviedo recovered to get Addison Barger to ground out to second before striking out Bo Bichette and Alejandro Kirk. Despite the 1-0 deficit, Oviedo fared better than his first start of the season.
The Pirates took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first. After Chris Bassitt struck out the first two batters, Bryan Reynolds doubled to left and Spencer Horwitz drew a walk.
Blue Jays fans booed heartily when Tommy Pham came to bat, still angered by his bat flip and choice words for catcher Tyler Heineman that caused benches to clear Monday night. Pham responded by hitting a 1-0 sinker down the left field line to drive in both runners for the lead.
The Pirates threatened to increase their lead in the fifth, when Liover Peguero and Nick Gonzales singled and Reynolds drew a full-count walk to load the bases. But Bassitt got Horwitz to fly out to left to strand all three runners and keep it a one-run game.
Bassitt (11-7) recorded 10 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
The Pirates bullpen kept the Blue Jays off the scoreboard, as Kyle Nicolas tossed two scoreless innings, Isaac Mattson one and Dennis Santana survived Kirk’s fly ball to the right-center wall to earn his ninth save.