(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Braxton Ashcraft allowed five hits over eight efficient innings, Oneil Cruz homered in his return from the injured list, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Detroit Tigers 4-1 on Tuesday night.

Ashcraft (13-5), a first-time All-Star this season, struck out four and didn’t issue a walk while throwing just 80 pitches. The 26-year-old right-hander, coming off the first complete game of his career in a win over Miami last week, gave up a fifth-inning homer to Tigers rookie Brett Callahan but otherwise cruised to his fourth win in five starts.

Ashcraft became the first Pittsburgh pitcher since A.J. Burnett in 2012 to record a complete game and then work at least eight innings in his next start.

Mason Montgomery worked the ninth for his fifth save.

Cruz, out since early June after breaking his left hand, turned on a 2-2 knuckle curve from Keider Montero (9-8) in the fifth inning and sent it 422 feet to right-center for his 15th homer of the season and his first since June 2. It was Pittsburgh’s 81st homer at PNC Park, tying the 2003 team for the most in a season at the ballpark that opened in 2001.

Spencer Horwitz and Bryan Reynolds added RBI singles for the Pirates, who have won four of six.

Detroit, in a tight race with a handful of clubs for the final AL wild-card spot, has lost four of five.

Montero was perfect through four innings but walked Esmeryln Valez on four pitches leading off the fifth before Cruz’s homer. Montero surrendered three runs on four hits in five innings.

Up next

The series concludes on Wednesday. Struggling ace Paul Skenes (9-11, 3.88 ERA), working on a week’s rest, starts for Pittsburgh against Detroit’s Jackson Jobe (1-1, 6.23).

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris (22) stands for the National Anthem before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sept. 21, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (Kyusung Gong, AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(East Rutherford, NJ) According to NFL Network, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris has agreed to a one-year deal to sign with the New York Giants.

Harris had a visit with the Giants yesterday and he appeared in three games for the Los Angeles Chargers last season before he suffered a torn Achilles.

Harris was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft as the No. 24 overall pick, and he recorded at least 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons with the Steelers.

(Credit for Photo: The Pirates’ Konnor Griffin runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Reds, Friday, June 26, 2026, at PNC Park, in Pittsburgh. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette))

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortshop Konnor Griffin is making progress in his recovery from a left ring finger sagittal band that he suffered during the team’s game against the Washington Nationals in Washington D.C. on July 5th when he was making a diving catch.

The 20-year-old shortstop is not wearing a splint on his left ring finger anymore after a checkup with the Pirates’ hand specialist and orthopedic surgeon.  

According to Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, the team is “optimistic” that Griffin will be ready to return from the injured list when he is eligible on September 4th.

Griffin will soon be undergoing rehab in Bradenton, Florida, and he has been on the 60-day injured list since July 11th. 

(Credit and Caption for Photo: The Pirates’ Oneil Cruz hits a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Twins, Friday, May 29, 2026, at PNC Park, in Pittsburgh. (Matt Freed/Post Gazette)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz officially returned to the team’s active roster yesterday after being taken off the 60-day injured list.

Cruz has been injured since June 7th because of left hand fourth and fifth metacarpal non-displaced fractures in his left hand that he suffered on June 6th sliding into home plate during the team’s game against the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta.

Cruz was on the bench for yesterday’s game against the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park, but according to Pirates manager Don Kelly, he will start for the second game of the three-game series tonight between the two teams in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates sent outfielder Ronny Simon back to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move yesterday to make room for Cruz on their roster. 

Other corresponding roster moves yesterday for the Pirates included left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco getting optioned back to Triple-A Indianapolis and right-handed pitcher Yohan Ramírez returning from paternity leave.