Rowdy Tellez drove in two runs with a single in the eighth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians 3-0 on Saturday night.
Luis Ortiz (6-4) threw six innings, allowing just one hit for his first win since July 20. The right-handed pitcher struck out five batters and walked three, helping the Pirates end a four-game losing streak.
“It was a start we needed, and Luis did a great job getting us through six,” said manager Derek Shelton. “We pitched really well and got a couple of big hits when we needed them. It’s a good way to end August.”
Jalen Beeks, Dennis Santana, and Aroldis Chapman combined with Ortiz to allow just two hits. Chapman secured his fifth save of the season, tying Roberto Hernandez for 19th place on the career saves list with 326.
“I put a lot of good work in this week and I felt good,” Ortiz said through an interpreter. “The slider was working and it made my other pitches better.”
The Guardians, who have the best home record in the AL at 42-25, still hold a 2 1/2-game lead in their division over Kansas City. They were shut out for the 14th time this season, tying them for the most in the majors.
Bo Naylor had a single in the fifth inning, and Josh Naylor had a double in the seventh to account for Cleveland’s two hits.
“We just couldn’t get anything going against Ortiz,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. “He had it working.”
In the eighth inning, with two outs and the bases loaded, Tellez pinch-hit for Connor Joe. Eli Morgan came in to pitch for Tim Herrin. Tellez hit a 1-1 changeup from Morgan into right-center, driving in Bryan Reynolds and Nick Gonzales to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead.
