Mitch Keller ends his 15-start winless streak as Bryan Reynolds homers in the Pirates' 9-1 rout of the Mets on June 28. See how Pittsburgh dominated.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Finally, a collective exhale at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates put together their most complete performance of the month on Saturday, dismantling the New York Mets 9-1 in a game where everything simply went right. The biggest story of the night? Mitch Keller is officially back in the win column, ending a frustrating drought that has loomed over the team for months.
Mitch Keller snapped a 15-start winless streak, earning his first victory since March.
You could feel the tension release with every out. Mitch Keller, the team's undisputed ace, has been grinding for months without a 'W' next to his name. That all changed Saturday. Keller was sharp and efficient, tossing 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball against a potent Mets lineup, with Juan Soto's solo homer being the only blemish. After 15 long starts, seeing that win registered next to his name is a massive psychological boost not just for him, but for the entire clubhouse and fanbase.
While Keller handled business on the mound, the offense provided more than enough support. Bryan Reynolds, who has been shaking off a tough June, looked every bit the All-Star, going 3-for-5. He punctuated the victory with a towering three-run homer in the sixth inning that blew the game wide open. It was his fourth multi-hit game in his last five starts. He wasn't alone; Tommy Pham stayed red-hot, driving in two runs and extending his hitting streak to four games. During that stretch, Pham is a blistering 8-for-15 with eight RBI. A four-run second inning set the tone early, showing what this lineup can do when it fires on all cylinders.
Lost in the celebration was the return of Oneil Cruz to the starting lineup. After a day off to reset, Cruz was slotted in at center field, batting fifth. The move down the order is clearly an attempt to take some pressure off the struggling slugger, who entered the game just 5-for-50 in his last 12 contests. While he didn't factor heavily into the offensive outburst, his presence in the lineup is key. A blowout win like this is the perfect environment for him to ease back in and find his timing without the weight of carrying the offense on his shoulders.
This is the version of the Pirates fans have been waiting to see: dominant starting pitching, a relentless offense, and contributions from up and down the lineup. The challenge, as always, is consistency. Can Keller use this as a springboard to a dominant second half? Can Reynolds and Pham's hot hitting become contagious? Saturday's win was more than just one victory; it was a blueprint for success. Now, they just have to follow it.
