Gregory Soto, Pirates implode in loss to Phillies in extras

PITTSBURGH -If this isn't rock bottom for the Pirates' bullpen, it's hard to imagine what is.

The Pirates imploded in a 11-9 loss in 10 innings to the cross-state Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night, blowing a six-run lead after three innings and a five-run lead after six. The Phillies scored eight runs against the Pirates bullpen from the seventh inning onward.

Most concerning for the Pirates was that the damage came against their lone reliable relievers. Mason Montgomery allowed a two-run homer to Kyle Schwarber on the first pitch he threw, snapping a string of 12 consecutive scoreless appearances. Gregory Soto, who had been rock solid, blew a three-run lead in the top of the ninth.

Dennis Santana (2-3) took the loss, allowing three runs on four consecutive hits in the 10th.

Plenty of good happened early for the Pirates. They scored six runs off Phillies starter Aaron Nola in the third inning on a two-run single from Oneil Cruz and two-run homers from Brandon Lowe and Marcell Ozuna. Lowe added a solo homer in the fifth against Jonathan Bowlan, his third two-homer game of the season.

Braxton Ashcraft pitched well over 6 2/3 innings, pounding the strike zone as he protected a large lead. He was charged with four runs, coming on Schwarber's first two-run homer of the game (and an inherited runner on the homer Schwarber hit off Montgomery), but gave the Pirates length. He threw a career-high 100 pitches, including 76 strikes.

But the unraveling started as soon as he left. Montgomery's first pitch was directly down the middle and Schwarber didn't miss it. Montgomery pitched a 1-2-3 eighth and handed a three-run lead to Soto, one Soto couldn't protect.

It started with a routine grounder to Konnor Griffin, one that Griffin misplayed for an error. After a groundout and a walk, Soto allowed a Trea Turner single to load the bases for Schwarber. He walked the Phillies slugger on four pitches, cutting the lead to two, then Bryce Harper hit a two-run single off the top of the right-center field wall, missing a grand slam by inches.

Soto escaped the inning without further damage, but the momentum had swung.

It was over when …

… Santana allowed three in the 10th. Brandan Bidois retired three batters in order to get to the bottom half down just three, but the Pirates couldn't do enough against Orion Kerkering in extras.

On the mound

Ashcraft wasn't dominant - although he was better than the four runs he allowed - but he did a good job of pounding the zone. His only real mistake came against Schwarber, although Harper did go 3 for 3 with three singles (and 4 for 5 overall).

At the plate

Seven starters recorded a hit for the Pirates. The team had 10 hits, the 15th time this season that team finished with double-digit hits.

Lowe went 2 for 4 with two homers and three RBIs, bringing his tally to 12 this season. His second homer, a solo shot, came against right-hander Jonathan Bowlan in the fifth. He already has three two-homer games.

Spencer Horwitz also went 2 for 4 with two singles, stole a base and scored twice. In his past 11 games, he's hitting .351 (13 for 37) with five doubles and nine RBIs.

Most valuable player

Schwarber, who dominated the Pirates and continued his early-season home run form.

Up next

The Pirates and Phillies continue their three-game series at 4:25 p.m. Saturday. Bubba Chandler (1-4, 4.62 ERA) will pitch for the Pirates against left-hander Cristopher Sanchez (4-2, 2.11), last year's National League Cy Young Award runner-up.

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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 10:37 PM.