Oneil Cruz gave PNC Park another reminder of the rare kind of pressure he brings to a lineup Sunday, driving a fourth-inning curveball from Kansas City’s Michael Wacha 420 feet to center field for his 20th home run of the season.
The solo drive put Cruz in select Pirates company. He is now the third player in club history, alongside Barry Bonds and Andrew McCutchen, to post at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in three consecutive seasons.
The result
Pittsburgh finished a three-game sweep of the Royals with a 4-3 win, its fourth straight victory. The Pirates moved to 79-77 with six games remaining on the schedule.
Cruz waited several seconds after hearing the names of the two former Pirates stars beside him on the list. Through interpreter Stephen Morales, he said the milestone carried real weight.
“To be included with two Pittsburgh baseball legends means a great deal,” Cruz said. “It is a privilege.”
His milestone swing came on a 75.2 mph curveball that caught too much of the middle of the plate. Wacha is a right-hander, but much of Cruz’s growth this year has shown up against left-handed pitching. After batting .102 with a .400 OPS and one homer against southpaws last season, Cruz has hit .323 and slugged .849 against them in 2026, with four home runs.
The 27-year-old has reached 20 homers despite appearing in only 93 games after fractures in his left hand cost him more than two months on the injured list. His pace over a full slate pointed toward 34 homers and 48 steals, well beyond the 20-homer, 38-steal line he produced last year.
Barry Bonds’ 1990 season remains the lone 30-homer, 40-steal campaign in Pirates history; he finished that MVP year with 33 home runs and 52 stolen bases. Cruz has not reached that territory this season, but his shortened year has brought him closer than any Pittsburgh player in recent memory.
Since coming back from the injured list on Aug. 17, Cruz has hit .318/.407/.533 for a .940 OPS in 29 games. He has collected three doubles, one triple, six home runs, 23 RBIs and seven steals over that stretch, even while acknowledging that he has not felt fully healthy.
Manager Don Kelly pointed to more than the raw production, citing Cruz’s work through injury and his offseason preparation.
“He has put together an outstanding season,” Kelly said. “The growth has stood out. He has learned to keep the offensive and defensive sides separate, played through soreness and worked particularly hard on facing left-handed pitching. To get to 20-20 in 93 games after everything he has handled is remarkable.”
Cruz has also continued his adjustment to the outfield while trying to keep his 6-foot-7 frame available over a full season. He said conversations with veteran teammates have helped him turn lessons into daily habits.
“Every season teaches you something, and this one did too,” Cruz said. “Advice from players who have spent time in the Major Leagues has helped me a lot.”
The difference he makes has been plain in Pittsburgh’s record. The Pirates are 52-41 when Cruz plays and 27-36 when he does not. Kelly sees the game changing before Cruz even puts a ball in play.
“There is pressure every time he comes up,” Kelly said. “He can hit one out, hit a triple, reach base and steal. There are not many players who can create that kind of stress for the other club.”
