Tommy Pham, Johan Oviedo lead Pirates to series win against Blue Jays

Colin Beazley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Aug 20, 2025

Published in Baseball

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PITTSBURGH — Tommy Pham stepped to the plate in the first inning to a chorus of boos from traveling Blue Jays fans. He silenced them with a two-run double.

Pham's double, in his first at-bat since sparking a benches-clearing confrontation on Monday, led the Pirates to a 2-1 win against Toronto on Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park. The Pirates have lost eight of 11 but took two of three from the AL East-leading Blue Jays.

Right-hander Johan Oviedo was promoted from Triple-A before the game and made his second major league start since September 2023. It went much better than his first. He struggled with his command in his major league return but completed five innings on Wednesday to return to the win column. He allowed two hits, a walk and an earned run and struck out six.

Oviedo's lone blemish was a leadoff homer to designated hitter George Springer. He retired the next eight hitters he faced.

Besides Pham's double, the Pirates did little against Toronto starter Chris Bassitt (11-7). He allowed six hits and two walks and struck out 10. Five of his strikeouts were looking.

Three Pirates relievers combined for the final four innings.

It was over when ...

... Dennis Santana pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his ninth save of the year. Right fielder Alexander Canario, in as a late-inning defensive replacement for Ronny Simon, made a running catch at the ball to prevent an Alejandro Kirk double.

On the mound

Kyle Nicolas threw two scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh. He faced the minimum, allowing a hit in the sixth but promptly inducing a double play. He had a bad outing in Milwaukee, but in his other eight August appearances, he has a 1.69 ERA (two runs in 10 2/3 innings).

Isaac Mattson pitched a scoreless eighth despite hitting a batter.

At the plate

The Pirates left nine runners on base, leaving the bases loaded in the fifth and stranding two in the sixth and seventh.

Most valuable player

Oviedo. He pitched well and will hope to solidify his spot in the rotation moving forward.

Up next

The Pirates are off Thursday, though they will induct three of their legends (Kiki Cuyler, Vernon Law and Al Oliver) into the Pirates Hall of Fame.

On Friday, the Pirates begin a three-game series with the bottom-dwelling Rockies (36-90) at 6:40 p.m. Neither team has announced a starter for Friday.