Henry Davis' homer was all the Pirates need in a shutout win against Angels

Colin Beazley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Sep 6, 2026

Published in Baseball

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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates scored one run in all three games against the majors-worst Los Angeles Angels.

Somehow, they won the series.

The Pirates won their second 1-0 decision in three days on Sunday afternoon, as Paul Skenes and four relievers combined to shut out the Angels.

Henry Davis brought in the lone run, a solo homer in the second inning off Angels starter Walbert Urena. The homer was Davis’ first extra-base hit since July 12.

Urena cruised otherwise, tossing an eight-inning complete game on 88 pitches. He allowed just three hits: Davis’ homer and two Brandon Lowe singles.

Skenes was steady, albeit not spectacular, during his 5 1/3 innings. He struck out just two batters, but scattered four hits, one walk and one hit batter to keep his childhood team off the board.

The Angels had their best chance in the fifth inning, when Skenes hit Zach Neto with two outs and Mike Trout hit a hustle double to Oneil Cruz in center. But Angels third base coach Keith Johnson aggressively waved Neto around third, and an easy relay from Cruz to Brandon Lowe to Davis was in more than enough time for the out.

Gregory Soto, Carmen Mlodzinski, Camilo Doval and Mason Montgomery finished the shutout. It’s the Pirates’ fourth series win in a row.

It was over when …

Montgomery issued a two-out walk to Kyren Paris, but pinch-hitter Denzer Guzman’s liner to right-center was tracked down by Bryan Reynolds.

On the mound

Skenes’ command was better, as 61 of his 87 pitches were strikes. He threw a first-pitch strike to 17 of the 21 hitters he faced.

The only issue was the lack of a putaway pitch. Forty-three of Skenes’ pitches came with two strikes.

At the plate

The Pirates left just two runners on base. They had runners on first and second with no outs in the fourth, but failed to score.

Bucs bites

In his weekly radio show, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Ryan O’Hearn was on track to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis early this week. In theory, that would mean O’Hearn could potentially return while the Pirates are in Chicago on their road trip.

The Pirates have won 10 consecutive home series against American League opponents.

Up next

The Pirates are off Monday before beginning a six-game Chicago swing on Tuesday night against the White Sox at Rate Field. The opener, scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET, will pit right-hander Bubba Chandler (6-9, 4.30 ERA) against right-hander Sean Burke (8-6, 3.20).

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