Fenway Park, Boston, August 30, 2025
News Summary
The Pittsburgh Pirates triumphed over the Boston Red Sox 4-2 in the first game of a three-game series at Fenway Park. Notable performances included Red Sox rookie Payton Tolle, who struck out eight batters in his major league debut, and Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, who allowed one earned run in six innings. Key plays by the Pirates included back-to-back doubles in the sixth inning, securing the win and continuing their successful streak in recent games. The series continues with another matchup scheduled for Saturday.
Boston
The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-2 on Friday at Fenway Park, handing Boston a loss in the opening game of a three-game series. The game featured a major league debut by Red Sox right-hander Payton Tolle, who struck out eight over 5.1 innings, and a strong outing by Pirates starter Paul Skenes, who held Boston to one earned run over six innings. Pittsburgh secured the win with back-to-back doubles in the sixth inning and closed the game with a save by Dennis Santana.
Game recap
The game began at 7:10 p.m. ET and was televised on MLB Network and NESN. Pittsburgh scored the decisive runs in the sixth inning when consecutive doubles by Tommy Pham and Andrew McCutchen produced runs. The Pirates added insurance runs later and relied on a bullpen that included Dennis Santana, who recorded his 11th save of the season.
Pitching and defense
Paul Skenes worked six innings, allowing seven hits and one earned run while striking out six batters. Boston starter Payton Tolle made his major league debut and delivered a notable performance, striking out eight across 5.1 innings. Tolle’s eight strikeouts tie him with Daisuke Matsuzaka for the most strikeouts by a Red Sox pitcher in a debut since 2007. The Red Sox scored one unearned run in the fourth inning aided by a fielding error by Skenes and a throwing error by Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Offense
Boston’s two runs came partly from small-ball and one long ball. Ceddanne Rafaela drove in a run with an RBI single, and Masataka Yoshida added a run during the game’s offense. Roman Anthony hit a solo home run to add to Boston’s total. Pittsburgh’s offense was paced by the sixth-inning doubles from Pham and McCutchen that changed the momentum in favor of the visiting club.
Key facts and context
The Pirates improved to a stretch of successful results, marking their seventh win in nine games. At the time of the matchup, Boston entered the night with a 75-60 overall record and a strong home ledger of 41-25. The Red Sox also held a 52-22 mark in games where they totaled eight or more hits during the season. Pittsburgh’s record stood at 59-76 overall and 20-46 on the road, with a 39-24 record when reaching at least eight hits.
Season and series notes
This was the first meeting between the two clubs during the season. The loss did not come without bright spots for Boston, notably Tolle’s debut performance. For Pittsburgh, the outing from Skenes and the bullpen’s ability to protect a lead were decisive. The result continued momentum for the Pirates while the Red Sox looked to regroup for the remainder of the series.
Next game
The series continues Saturday night with Boston scheduled to start Dustin May and Pittsburgh countering with Johan Oviedo.
FAQ
What was the final score and where was the game played?
The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Red Sox 4-2 at Fenway Park in Boston.
How did Payton Tolle perform in his major league debut?
Payton Tolle struck out eight batters over 5.1 innings in his major league debut, tying a club debut strikeout mark set by Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2007.
Who was the winning pitcher and who earned the save?
Paul Skenes earned the win for the Pirates after six innings, and Dennis Santana recorded the save, his 11th of the season.
What key play decided the game?
Back-to-back doubles by Tommy Pham and Andrew McCutchen in the sixth inning produced the runs that broke the tie and put Pittsburgh ahead.
When is the next game and who are the scheduled starters?
The next game is Saturday, with Boston slated to start Dustin May and Pittsburgh scheduled to start Johan Oviedo.
Quick game info
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, August 29 |
| Start time | 7:10 p.m. ET |
| Venue | Fenway Park, Boston, MA |
| Final score | Pittsburgh 4, Boston 2 |
| Winning pitcher | Paul Skenes (6 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 6 K) |
| Losing pitcher | Boston starter Payton Tolle (MLB debut: 5.1 IP, 8 K) |
| Save | Dennis Santana (11th save) |
| Key plays | Back-to-back doubles by Tommy Pham and Andrew McCutchen in the sixth inning |
| Boston season record (pre-game) | 75-60 overall; 41-25 at home |
| Pittsburgh season record (pre-game) | 59-76 overall; 20-46 on the road |
| Next scheduled starters | Boston: Dustin May — Pittsburgh: Johan Oviedo (Saturday) |
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Additional Resources
- NESN: Payton Tolle Dominates Pirates in Red Sox Debut
- Google Search: Payton Tolle Red Sox debut
- MassLive: Pirates Ace Reacts to First Time Facing Red Sox
- Wikipedia: Boston Red Sox
- Bleacher Report: Pirates vs. Red Sox Game
- Google News: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Boston Red Sox
- Fox Sports: How to Watch Red Sox vs. Pirates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boston Red Sox
- Over the Monster: Series Preview – Pirates at Red Sox
- Google Scholar: Boston Red Sox
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
