Nick Gonzales' perfect 5-for-5 night, including a HR, powered the Pirates to a 5-4 win over the Brewers on June 24, 2025. Tommy Pham added a key homer.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some nights, one player simply decides they aren't making an out. Tuesday in Milwaukee was Nick Gonzales' night. The Pirates' second baseman put on an absolute clinic, going a perfect 5-for-5 in a career-defining performance that propelled the Bucs to a nail-biting 5-4 victory over the division-rival Brewers.
Nick Gonzales is 12-for-22 over his last five games, raising his batting average nearly 100 points from .226 to .320.
It's hard to overstate just how dominant Nick Gonzales was at the plate. He simply could not be retired. His perfect night included a first-inning double to get things started and a towering 416-foot home run in the fourth inning. He drove in two runs and was the engine of the offense from start to finish. This wasn't just a good game; it was a statement. Gonzales has been on a tear, and this five-hit outburst rocketed his batting average to .320, solidifying his spot as one of the most dangerous hitters in the lineup.
While Gonzales was the star, the veteran presence was the difference-maker. Tommy Pham, looking for his power stroke, finally found it with a crucial two-run homer in the fourth—his first of the season. But he wasn't done. In the sixth, Pham singled and then hustled home on Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s clutch, go-ahead triple that broke a 4-4 tie. It was a perfect example of how this team can win: the young star sets the table, and the seasoned pros bring it home.
All eyes were on rookie Braxton Ashcraft as he made his first career MLB start, and he did not disappoint. Previously a bullpen arm, Ashcraft looked poised and polished, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing just a single hit and no walks. His impressive outing lowered his ERA to a sparkling 1.23 and gave the Pirates a tantalizing glimpse of another potential homegrown starter for the rotation. It was a high-pressure spot against a tough lineup, and the kid passed with flying colors.
With a one-run lead in the ninth, it was time for 'The Renegade.' David Bednar worked around a hit and a walk to lock down his 11th save, remaining perfect in save opportunities this season. He got a massive assist from his defense when Caleb Durbin was caught oversliding second base for a crucial out, thwarting a potential Brewers rally. It was a tense finish, but Bednar's unflappable demeanor, coupled with smart baseball, secured the hard-fought win. The closer hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 13 appearances.
This was more than just one win; it was a blueprint for success. We saw the explosive potential of our youth in Gonzales, the timely power from veterans like Pham, a promising look at the future of the rotation with Ashcraft, and the lockdown reliability of Bednar. Winning tight games on the road against a division leader is how you make a playoff push. As the Pirates look to take the series from the Brewers, they'll need to build on this exact formula of complete, team-wide contributions.
