Oneil Cruz Smashes Rare Home Run Into Allegheny River

Oneil Cruz delivered a spectacular display of power during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 6-5 walk-off victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday. In the third inning, Cruz launched a solo home run that cleared the stands of PNC Park and landed directly in the Allegheny River on the fly.

A Historic Blast at PNC Park

The home run was a feat of immense strength, leaving the bat at 110.8 mph and travelling a Statcast-projected 450 feet. This blast marks only the seventh time in the 25-year history of PNC Park that a ball has reached the river on the fly.

Cruz connected with a 90.1 mph cutter thrown by Twins starter Taj Bradley during a 3-1 count. The distance was so significant that the hit tied for the 18th-longest home run in MLB this season, giving Cruz enough time to admire the flight of the ball before it left the park.

Did You Know? Friday’s game saw the 86th and 87th home runs to ever reach the Allegheny River, the first such occurrences since Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II did so on April 28.

Record-Breaking Power

With this hit, Cruz has now sent seven home runs into the river in any capacity, the highest total of any player in Pirates history. This record includes four long balls hit during the 2024 season.

The performance underscores Cruz’s elite exit velocity. In 2026, he has recorded 23 hits with an exit velocity exceeding 110 mph, which includes two of the top four highest exit velocities recorded in the league this year.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that Cruz’s ability to consistently produce exit velocities over 110 mph places him in a rare tier of power hitters. The significance of this specific home run lies not just in the distance, but in how it signals a potential return to the form seen earlier in the season.

analysing the Momentum

The home run was Cruz’s 12th of the season and his 37th RBI, helping to cut the Pirates’ deficit to 5-4 at the time. While he experienced a slower month of May with only three home runs, this blast follows a productive start to the year where he slugged nine home runs across March and April.

As June approaches, this surge in power could indicate that Cruz is heating up. If this trend continues, he may return to the high-production levels seen during the first two months of the season.

The game also featured power from the opposition, as Minnesota left fielder Trevor Larnach cleared the right field stands to reach the river, though his home run did not land on the fly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many home runs has Oneil Cruz hit into the Allegheny River?

Oneil Cruz has hit seven home runs that reached the river in any capacity, which is the most of any Pirates player.

Oneil Cruz CRUSHES 13th Home Run Into The Allegheny River!

What were the Statcast metrics for Cruz’s home run on Friday?

The ball left the bat at 110.8 mph and had a Statcast-projected distance of 450 feet.

Who else hit a home run into the river during the Pirates vs. Twins game?

Minnesota left fielder Trevor Larnach also hit a home run that reached the river, although it did not do so on the fly.

Do you think raw power or consistent contact is more valuable for a team’s success in a walk-off scenario?