PITTSBURGH – Ryan O'Hearn stole the spotlight on a day full of news. Konnor Griffin, the Pirates’ star shortstop, hit the injured list until September. Paul Skenes, their generational ace, looked to get out of a career-worst funk. Yet O’Hearn took over with 1,172 feet worth of home runs on Tuesday night.
O’Hearn tallied seven RBIs in his first two at-bats, slugging a grand slam in the first inning and a three-run shot in the third. After grounding out in his next at-bat, O'Hearn was at it again in the sixth inning, slugging another three-run homer to up his RBI tally to 10 in the Pirates' 12-4 win over the Braves at PNC Park.
O'Hearn became the 17th player to drive in at least 10 runs in the Modern Era (since 1900) and the first since Shohei Ohtani in 2024.
O’Hearn's 10 RBIs were the most in a single game in Pirates franchise history. His RBI total went from 51 to 61 and home run mark to 16.
The first two home runs came off offspeed pitches from Braves starter Hurston Waldrep, first a curveball and then a slider. Each traveled at more than 99 mph off the bat. The first reached the right-center-field seats, while the second was a walloping shot into the bushes in dead center field.
O’Hearn signed a two-year, $29 million contract with Pittsburgh this past offseason, becoming an anchor for the middle of the order.
After his third home run, O’Hearn came out of the dugout to a curtain call, tapping his heart and pointing to the crowd.
As many Pirates exited the game amid the blowout, O’Hearn remained in for a final crack at four homers. He instead singled to right field, then exited for a pinch-runner as he received another standing ovation to cap the historic night.