Sonny Gray, Wilyer Abreu Lead Red Sox To Much-Needed Win originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Sonny Gray gave the Boston Red Sox exactly what they needed Saturday night. Gray delivered seven scoreless innings, and Wilyer Abreu launched his 22nd home run of the season as Boston defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 at PNC Park.
The victory moved the Red Sox to 66-57 and evened the three-game series after Friday’s ugly 8-4 loss. Boston also secured its second win in three games after previously dropping five straight. Gray allowed six hits and one walk while striking out seven. The veteran right-hander improved to 15-3 and lowered his ERA to 2.65 with one of his most important performances of the season.
Wilyer Abreu Powers Red Sox Offense
Abreu supplied Boston’s only offense through the first eight innings. The right fielder crushed a 420-foot solo home run off Jared Jones in the second inning, giving the Red Sox an early 1-0 advantage. He finished 3-for-4 with the home run and two doubles.
W in The City of Steel!
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 16, 2026
FINAL: #RedSox 4, Pirates 0#DirtyWaterpic.twitter.com/SS7fsFNtwY
Jones otherwise kept Boston under control. The Pirates right-hander struck out seven and allowed four hits over five innings, leaving Pittsburgh within one run. Boston had several opportunities to create breathing room but finished only 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. The Red Sox stranded seven runners and struck out 11 times.
That changed in the ninth.
Caleb Durbin and Jarren Duran scored when Andruw Monasterio lined a two-run double to center field. Jahmai Jones followed with an RBI single, extending the lead to 4-0.
MORE: Red Sox’s Masataka Yoshida Exits Pirates Game With Injury
Sonny Gray Makes Early Lead Stand
Gray protected the narrow lead by keeping Pittsburgh off balance throughout his 86-pitch outing. The Pirates put runners on base but never found the timely hit. Pittsburgh went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and grounded into two double plays.
Erik Miller worked a perfect eighth inning before Aroldis Chapman handled the ninth, completing Boston’s second shutout victory in three games. The win came with one significant concern. Masataka Yoshida exited in the third inning with left hamstring tightness after doubling into the right-field corner. He walked off under his own power and initially was listed as day-to-day.
Boston now has an opportunity to win the series Sunday, although the assignment will be difficult. Left-hander Patrick Sandoval is scheduled to face Pirates ace Paul Skenes at 1:35 p.m. ET. After Gray stopped Pittsburgh on Saturday, the Red Sox will try to carry that momentum into one of their toughest pitching matchups of the season.