The Pirates traded Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Reds then beat the Giants 2-1 on July 30, 2025. The win extends their streak to five amid a shocking roster move.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of jarring contradictions for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hours after the front office shipped Gold Glove third baseman and supposed cornerstone Ke'Bryan Hayes to the division-rival Cincinnati Reds, the team on the field showed incredible resilience, gutting out a 2-1 extra-inning victory over the Giants to complete a three-game sweep and extend their season-best winning streak to five games. The move signals a major shift in direction, leaving fans to wonder what this team's identity is, even as they enjoy their best stretch of baseball all year.
Five straight wins. Amidst a franchise-altering trade, the Pirates secured their longest winning streak of the season, improving to 47-62.
The news that dropped before the series finale was a stunner: Ke'Bryan Hayes is no longer a Pittsburgh Pirate. The 28-year-old defensive wizard was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds for veteran lefty reliever Taylor Rogers and 20-year-old shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura. While Hayes's glove has always been elite, his bat has struggled to catch up, as evidenced by his .236 average, 2 homers, and 36 RBI this season. The move saves the Pirates significant future salary and brings in a reliable bullpen arm in Rogers (2.45 ERA) and a promising young talent in Stafura, who is hitting .262 with 48 RBI in Class A. Still, trading a player of Hayes's caliber, especially to a rival, is a bold and controversial decision by the front office.
Despite the clubhouse shakeup, the Pirates found a way to win. In a classic pitcher's duel, the game went to extra innings tied 1-1 thanks to an earlier RBI single from Liover Peguero. In the top of the 10th, with Oneil Cruz starting on second, it was Henry Davis who came through with a clutch groundout to score the go-ahead run. The pitching was stellar from start to finish, and the defense held firm, capping a perfect 3-0 series in San Francisco. It's the kind of gritty, focused performance that shows the character of this clubhouse.
With Hayes gone, the immediate question was who would take over at third base. For now, the answer is Isiah Kiner-Falefa. The veteran shortstop slid over to the hot corner for Wednesday's game, a position he has experience with. This move likely opens up shortstop for Liover Peguero to get more consistent playing time. Don't forget about Gold Glove utility man Jared Triolo, who will certainly see an increased role at third as well. The defensive alignment will be something to watch closely as the team adjusts to life without its perennial Gold Glove candidate.
The addition of Sammy Stafura adds another intriguing name to a farm system that remains one of the organization's strengths. While he's years away, he joins a pipeline headlined by future ace Bubba Chandler and dynamic shortstop Konnor Griffin. The front office's strategy appears clear: leverage established big-league talent to acquire controllable pitching and prospects to sustain the talent wave started by Paul Skenes. This trade is another bet on the future.
As the Pirates leave San Francisco on a five-game high, the feeling is bittersweet. The team is playing its best baseball of the season, yet a fan favorite and defensive anchor is gone. The trade deadline looms, and the deal for Hayes might not be the last move we see. For now, fans are left to celebrate the wins while grappling with a franchise that is once again redefining its future, one surprising move at a time.
