Full Breakdown
Oneil Cruz Ends Mason Miller’s 73-Game Homerless Streak with Ninth-Inning Blast
8/27/2026, 2:13:07 AM
The Decisive Ninth Inning
On August 25, 2026, Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz hit a solo home run with two outs in the top of the ninth inning at Petco Park. The blast broke Mason Miller’s 73-appearance streak without allowing a homer and gave the Pirates a 1-0 victory over the San Diego Padres.
Background: Miller’s Dominance and the Pirates’ Recent Struggles
Mason Miller, the Padres’ All-Star closer, entered the game with a 0.84 ERA, 33 saves, 101 strikeouts and only 25 hits allowed in 56 innings. Since the All-Star break he had posted a 0.81 ERA and allowed just one earned run. Prior to Cruz’s shot, Miller’s last surrendered homer had come the previous season, ending a long stretch of dominance.
The Pirates had been searching for offense; Cruz had gone hitless in his previous 12 at-bats and was returning from a left-hand fracture. His contribution came at a moment when the Padres were losing consecutive games for the first time since July 23.
Timeline of Relevant Moments
- April 30, 2024 – Cruz’s earlier matchup with Miller (struck out on four pitches).
- August 25, 2026 – Cruz’s ninth-inning solo homer ends Miller’s streak and decides the game.
Data & Statistics
- Mason Miller: 73 appearances without a homer; 0.84 ERA overall, 0.81 ERA after the All-Star break; 33 saves; 101 strikeouts; 25 hits allowed in 56 innings.
- Oneil Cruz: 17th career homer; ball left the park at 379 ft with an exit velocity of 111.8 mph; season-average exit velocity 95.7 mph, hardest-hit ball 119.0 mph, second-best hard-hit rate (58%) in 2026.
- Paul Skenes (Pirates starter): 6 scoreless innings, three hits, no walks, 87 pitches.
- Michael King (Padres starter): 7 scoreless innings, five hits, seven strikeouts, two walks.
Official Statements & Responses
Cruz emphasized the need for concentration and engagement in high-leverage situations, noting his familiarity with Miller’s patterns. Manager Don Kelly described the matchup as “power versus power,” praising both the pitcher and the hitter for their execution and noting that the moment “hasn’t been too big” for the young outfielder.
Pirates pitching coach praised Skenes’ improved velocity and command, highlighting his ability to locate all pitches for strikes and his diligent work ethic.
On-the-Ground Report
After a scoreless eighth by Gregory Soto, Mason Montgomery closed the game with his sixth save, striking out the tying run. The Padres’ offense was limited to a single hit by Fernando Tatis in the first inning and a leadoff single by Xander Bogaerts in the third, both of which failed to produce runs. The Pirates’ bullpen kept the Padres off the scoreboard, preserving Cruz’s decisive blast.
