Pirates Sweep Orioles, O'Hearn Shines

0:00It's April 5th. You're listening to MLB News today, AI-powered MLB coverage. Pittsburgh Pirates just swept the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 in their series finale at PNC Park on April 5th, 2026. Right fielder Ryan O'Hern stole the show with four runs batted in, tying his career high, including a two run homer in the first and a two run double. Later, that firepower gave the Bucks their first big offensive explosion at home this season. O'Hern's even more clutch, considering he played for the Orioles from 2023 to 25, made the All-Star team last year, then. Got traded to San Diego before signing a two-year, $29 million deal with Pittsburgh in the offseason. Meanwhile, the Pirates notched their first series sweep of the year after wins on April 3rd and the day before. Fans are buzzing because this marks five straight victories and six wins in their last seven, pushing their record to six and three. O'Hern's leading the team at Slashline 379 over 472,

1:03slash 724, with 11 hits, three homers, and 11. RBI in eight games. On the mound, rookie Braxton Ashcraft dominated with six innings, one earned run, four hits, and a career high eight strikeouts on 87, pitches. He mixed fastballs at 96 miles per hour with sliders and sinkers, keeping Baltimore quiet after an early rally attempt. Pirates' relievers closed it out strong, and with O'Neil Cruz crushing a two-run bomb for his fourth homer this year, Pittsburgh's rolling early. If O'Hern and Ashcraft keep this up, the bucks could be contenders all season long.