Pittsburgh Review

PHOENIX -- Before Friday’s series opener against the D-backs, Oneil Cruz demonstrated his strength by hitting a batting-practice ball deep into the left-field concourse, striking a promotional Chevrolet truck and leaving a dent on the vehicle. The clank echoed throughout Chase Field, accompanied by cheers from the early crowd. This power display was a precursor to what came from the 25-year-old on Saturday night.

On the first pitch he saw from Brandon Pfaadt, who had allowed only one run in three previous starts this month, Cruz hit a 472-foot homer in a 9-5 loss to the D-backs. The blast was not only the longest of his young career but also tied Josh Bell for the third-longest home run in Pirates history. It ranks seventh at Chase Field since Statcast tracking began in 2015 and is the longest at the venue this season. It was Cruz's fourth homer with at least a 450-foot projected distance this season.

“I’ve hit plenty of home runs in my career,” Cruz said in Spanish. “But nothing as far as that. This one definitely ranks as one of the more special ones I’ve hit.”

The ball had an exit velocity of 115.2 mph but wasn’t Cruz’s hardest-hit ball of the season. On May 21, he made history by becoming the first player in MLB history to hit two batted balls with an exit velocity over 121.5 mph in the same game, with one topping out at 121.5 mph, making it the fourth-hardest hit in the Statcast era.

After going hitless in four at-bats on Friday, Cruz knew he needed to be more aggressive and aimed to make an impact on Saturday's first pitch he liked. He knew it was gone upon contact but did not see it land because he celebrated by hitting his bat against the ground so hard that it bounced into the Pirates dugout. D-backs third baseman Eugenio Suárez informed him where it landed.

What made this homer even more impressive was its location: high and away, typically out of reach for most players but within range for Cruz due to his height.

“When you take so many swings during the season, it becomes natural,” Cruz said. “It just happens that every time I make contact with the ball, it gets hit pretty hard. It’s a benefit I like.”

In addition to his home run, Cruz nearly achieved another homerun later in seventh inning but settled for a sliding triple instead, showcasing his speed.

“He hits the ball really hard,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “I think that's one thing we know; when he gets it flush, it goes a long way.”

Despite Cruz’s efforts, Marco Gonzales gave up four runs over two innings and took his first loss to Arizona in his ten-year career while reliever Quinn Priester allowed five runs leading to Arizona snapping Pittsburgh’s three-series win streak.

As both teams chase National League Wild Card spots with summer approaching its peak intensity, games like these add momentum and significance.

“We need to focus,” Cruz said. “We all have a job to do...on field we have to be best version of ourselves and lock-in for all nine innings.”