Pirates fall to Cubs 3-2 on June 16, 2025, as Ian Happ's walk-off spoils another gem from Mitch Keller, extending his frustrating winless streak to 14 games.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a story Pirates fans have seen far too many times this season. A brilliant start from an ace, a flash of early offense, and then... nothing. The Bucs dropped another heartbreaker on Monday, falling 3-2 to the Chicago Cubs in 10 innings at Wrigley Field, extending Mitch Keller's personal winless streak to a staggering 14 games despite another quality outing.
Mitch Keller has now gone 14 consecutive starts without a win, a stretch that perfectly encapsulates the Pirates' struggle to provide run support for their ace.
The night began with so much promise. The Pirates jumped on the Cubs immediately, plating two runs in the top of the first on RBI hits from Spencer Horwitz and Alexander Canario. It felt like this might finally be the night they'd break the curse for Keller. But the optimism was short-lived. After that initial burst, the Pirates' offense went into hibernation, managing only two more hits for the rest of the game. The Cubs clawed back to tie it, setting the stage for a tense showdown that ended when Ian Happ laced a walk-off single against closer David Bednar in the 10th inning.
Once again, Mitch Keller did his job. The Pirates' right-hander was masterful over six innings, allowing just three hits and two runs while lowering his season ERA to a respectable 4.08. He gave his team every chance to win, but the offense simply couldn't back him up. This no-decision extends his winless streak to 14 starts, a statistic that's as baffling as it is frustrating. It's a clear indictment of the team's inability to score runs, turning what should be wins for their ace into agonizing losses and no-decisions.
If there's one positive to take from the offensive performance, it's the continued emergence of first baseman Spencer Horwitz. He was responsible for a significant chunk of the team's production, collecting two of their four hits and driving in the first run of the game. In a lineup that has struggled for consistency, Horwitz has been a welcome presence, proving he can be a reliable bat even when the rest of the team goes quiet.
The loss stings, dropping the Pirates further back in the NL Central standings and highlighting a recurring problem. There's no time to dwell on it, however, as the team heads to Detroit for a new series. The Bucs will send Bailey Falter (5-3, 3.36 ERA) to the mound against the Tigers' Casey Mize on Tuesday. It's a fresh start and another chance for the bats to wake up and finally give their pitchers the support they deserve.
