Tommy Pham’s game-winning hit pushes Pirates past Yankees in 11

Tommy Pham’s walk-off single in the bottom of the 11th inning lifted the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-4 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday afternoon.

Pham’s hit helped the Pirates avoid getting swept for the first time this season and snapped a two-game skid as Pittsburgh secured the finale of a three-game series against the defending American League champions.

The Pirates prevailed despite their bullpen surrendering three runs in the top of the ninth and wasting a quality start from starter Andrew Heaney.

But in the 11th, automatic runner Jack Suwinski stole third with one out to set up Pham’s game winning hit off Yankees closer Devin Williams (0-1).

Trent Grisham, who again led the Yankees, going 2-for-5 with two RBI, had a chance to give the Yankees the lead in the 11th. But Pirates reliever Joey Wentz (1-1) got Grisham to fly out to left with runners on second and third and two outs.

The Yankees appeared to be ready for another offensive outburst after scoring quickly in the first inning on Jazz Chisholm’s RBI double. The hit scored Cody Bellinger, who singled two batters prior and stole second. Bellinger was back in the Yankees’ lineup after missing their previous two games with a lower back issue.

But Heaney would proceed to strike out 10 over seven innings and 100 pitches as he delivered his second consecutive strong outing to open the season.

Yankees’ rookie starter Will Warren’s second start of the season lasted only four innings as he allowed four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five.

The Yankees’ bullpen picked up their starter, though, as Brent Headrick, Yoendrys Gomez and Luke Weaver each pitched two hitless innings to hold the Pirates in check.

New York scored three runs in the ninth off reliever Ryan Borucki to tie the game at 4 and eventually force extra innings. Oswald Peraza doubled on a 2-2 count to score Anthony Volpe and put runners on second and third. Grisham then came up and delivered a game-tying single to score Peraza and Jasson Dominguez.