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sports11h ago
Oneil Cruz is Setting a Standard for Pirates Power
- Cruz hammered a 450-foot third-inning homer that landed in the Allegheny River, a rare river splash at PNC Park.
- The homer travelled 450 feet with an exit velocity of 110.8 mph, tied for the 18th-longest this season.
- Cruz’s 2026 season features multiple high-velocity hits, including four hardest-hit balls this year and 23 exits over 110 mph.
- The solo shot trimmed Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5–4 and set the stage for Bryan Reynolds’ walk-off in the ninth.
- Cruz emphasized consistency, saying there are no major changes, just continued work and preparation.
- Cruz welcomed the return of pitcher Jared Jones, calling him a favorite and noting the impact on the dugout.
- Cruz’s river homer remains part of a growing milestone rhythm for the Pirates at PNC Park this season.
- The game featured a late Pirates rally and a nod to Cruz’s June resurgence after a slow May.
- The article notes the river hit lineage, with Larnach también reaching the water, highlighting the park's river-history.
- The write-up frames Cruz as a rising star contributing to the Pirates’ competitive narrative in 2026.
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