Jones Was Filthy, Cruz Went Yard: Pirates Sweep White Sox

Jones puts on a show

Jared Jones didn't just pitch. He lived in the White Sox heads. Seven innings, one hit, eight strikeouts, and a no-hit bid that lasted until Colson Montgomery punched a two-out double in the seventh. Jones walked the leadoff man in the third and fourth, but Chicago never cracked the code. He matched his longest career outing and left the White Sox swinging at ghosts.

Luke Weaver handled a clean eighth, and Mason Montgomery slammed the door for his 12th save. Pittsburgh has now won four straight and nine of 11. The Pirates are rolling, and the vibes are absolutely immaculate.

Cruz brings the boom

Oneil Cruz gave the Pirates all the offense they needed in the fourth, launching a solo homer to deep center off Erick Fedde. Then he added an insurance run in the eighth, singling home Jared Triolo. Fedde, who took over for opener Hagen Smith one batter into the third, went 5 1/3 innings and gave up four hits, one walk, and one strikeout while taking the loss.

White Sox woes

Chicago managed just two hits and lost for the eighth time in 11 games. The AL Central lead over idle Cleveland shrunk to 1 1/2 games. Miguel Vargas stole second and reached third on a throwing error in the fourth, but Jones stranded him with three straight flyouts. That was the whole story: pressure, no payoff.

The Pirates were chasing the franchise's seventh no-hitter. The last one? Francisco Cordova and Ricardo Rincon on July 12, 1997, against Houston. John Candelaria had the last solo no-no on Aug. 9, 1976, against the Dodgers. Jones didn't get there, but he got the sweep.

Up next

Pittsburgh hasn't named a starter for Friday afternoon against the Cubs. Shota Imanaga (9-10, 3.91 ERA) will start the series opener for Chicago. The White Sox send Anthony Kay (9-8, 4.47 ERA) against Cardinals lefty Matthew Liberatore (5-13, 5.57) Friday night in St. Louis.