The Pirates crushed the Mets 12-1 on June 29, 2025, to complete a dominant sweep. Oneil Cruz hit two homers and Ke'Bryan Hayes starred in the offensive clinic.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a weekend on the North Shore! The Pittsburgh Pirates didn't just beat the New York Mets; they dismantled them. Capping a three-game sweep with a stunning 12-1 blowout on Sunday, the Bucs put on an offensive clinic that had PNC Park rocking from the first pitch to the last. This wasn't just a win; it was a statement.
The Pirates scored at least nine runs in every game of the series, a feat they hadn't accomplished in a three-game set since 1999.
The rout was on almost immediately. Oneil Cruz ignited the crowd with a two-run blast in the bottom of the first, and before the cheers even died down, Tommy Pham followed with a back-to-back shot of his own. It was a rare display of consecutive homers for the club and a sign of things to come. Ke'Bryan Hayes piled on with a two-out, two-run single in the same inning, and the Pirates never looked back. Bryan Reynolds added his own solo shot in the fifth, contributing to a relentless barrage that the Mets pitching staff had no answer for.
While the entire lineup contributed, two players stood out. Oneil Cruz was a force of nature, launching two home runs to bring his season total to a powerful 15. His second homer, a 366-foot missile in the seventh, was a punctuation mark on the day. Not to be outdone, catcher Henry Davis had the best game of his young career, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate and scoring twice. It was a massive performance from Davis, showcasing the kind of offensive potential the organization has been waiting for from the former first-overall pick.
The excitement isn't just contained to Pittsburgh. The Pirates' farm system also had a banner day. Top prospects like Konnor Griffin (three hits, two steals) and Hunter Barco (seven strikeouts) put up eye-popping numbers, while Termarr Johnson added a homer of his own. Even top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler, who has faced some adversity in Triple-A this month, showed his resilience with six strikeouts in his latest start. Despite a tough June, GM Ben Cherington publicly reaffirmed the organization's belief in Chandler, stating they still expect him to make an impact in the majors this season. It's a crucial vote of confidence and a reminder of the incredible depth building throughout the system.
After a weekend like this, it's hard not to feel optimistic. The Pirates didn't just win; they dominated in every facet of the game. This sweep provides a massive jolt of momentum as the team heads into a new week. The challenge now is to bottle this offensive energy and prove that this wasn't just a flash in the pan against a struggling Mets team, but the start of a sustained run. If the bats stay this hot, the rest of the summer is going to be incredibly fun.
