Chicago-area native Jack Suwinski propels Pirates past Cubs with 9th-inning homer

Noah Hiles, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Aug 15, 2025

Published in Baseball

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CHICAGO — Jack Suwinski has had little go his way throughout the 2025 season. But his luck changed during a trip back to his hometown.

Born and raised just outside the Windy City, Suwinski served a slice of heartbreak to a sold-out crowd at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon, smashing a go-ahead homer in the top of the ninth inning that lifted the Pirates to a 3-2 victory over the Cubs.

The win snapped a five-game losing streak for Don Kelly’s club. Dennis Santana was the winning pitcher, improving to 4-4 on the season. Daniel Palencia, who allowed Suwinski’s homer, suffered the loss, dropping to 1-3.

The Pirates were first to score, jumping ahead 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI double from Andrew McCutchen. His two-base hit, which was No. 17 on the season, plated Nick Gonzales, who reached on a walk in the at-bat prior.

The Cubs responded in the following frame, as a two-out single from Pete Crow-Armstrong drove home Seiya Suzuki, tying the game at 1-1. Crow-Armstrong attempted to stretch his hit into a double, but a strong throw from Bryan Reynolds beat the Cubs speedster to the bag, ending the inning.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa put Pittsburgh back ahead in the top of the seventh, doubling home Jared Triolo. The Cubs, however, countered again in the bottom half, as Matt Shaw brought home Crow-Armstrong on a sacrifice fly to center field, tying the game at 2-2.

The score remained tied until the ninth inning thanks to a big effort out of the bullpen from Isaac Mattson, who threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Santana then finished the job, recording the final out in the eighth before throwing a scoreless ninth.

It was over when ...

Suwinski’s homer cleared the ivy-covered wall in left field. The blast traveled 376 feet at an exit velocity of 102 mph. It was his third big league homer of the season.

On the mound

The Pirates received a much-needed strong start from Braxton Ashcraft. The 25-year-old right-hander went a career-high five innings in his third big-league start, surrendering just one run, which was earned, on three hits. He struck out four batters and walked none.

Evan Sisk took over for Ashcraft in the sixth inning. He threw a scoreless frame despite walking Kyle Tucker with two outs. Don Kelly sent Sisk back out in the seventh for a second frame of work, which quickly backfired. He was pulled after hitting Crow-Armstrong to start the inning. Crow-Armstrong came around to score the tying run later in that frame. The outing was Sisk’s first as a Pirate after being acquired for Bailey Falter at the trade deadline.

At the plate

The Pirates tallied six hits total, the same amount as Chicago. Triolo had the club’s lone multi-hit effort, going 2 for 4 with a pair of singles and a run scored.

Most valuable player

Suwinski, who now has five homers at Wrigley Field, more than any other ballpark aside from PNC Park.

Up next

The Pirates and Cubs continue their weekend series Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. Mike Burrows (1-4, 4.66) will face Shota Imanaga (8-5, 3.19) on the mound.