Mitch Keller's struggles continue as the Pirates fall 5-2 to the Mets on June 27. See how homers from Pete Alonso & Francisco Lindor sealed Keller's 11th loss.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
If Friday night's game felt familiar, it's because it was. The Pittsburgh Pirates once again followed a frustrating script: a decent but not dominant start from their ace, an offense that went missing in action, and ultimately, another tally in the loss column. The New York Mets left PNC Park with a 5-2 victory, leaving Pirates fans wondering when, or if, this team will break the cycle.
Mitch Keller's season record now stands at a staggering 1-11, and he has lost six consecutive starts, the longest such streak of his career.
Mitch Keller's night was a microcosm of his 2025 season. He battled for six innings and racked up seven strikeouts, showing flashes of the ace potential the Pirates are counting on. But the final line tells the real story: four earned runs and his 11th loss of the year. Two big swings from the Mets did the damage—a two-run homer by Pete Alonso in the third and a solo shot from Francisco Lindor in the fifth. While a 4.15 ERA isn't catastrophic, the 1-11 record is a glaring issue, fueled by a combination of ill-timed mistakes and a severe lack of run support.
The Pirates' offense was once again an exercise in futility. The lineup managed just five hits all night against Mets starter David Peterson, who cruised through seven innings. The only moment of life came in the sixth inning when Bryan Reynolds laced a double to drive in both of the team's runs. The clutch hit, which was highlighted across the team's social media, was a reminder of Reynolds' value, but it also underscored how little help he's getting. One player can't carry an entire offense, and Friday was proof.
While the big league club struggles, there are positive signs down on the farm. Top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler continues to impress at Triple-A, and the athletic Konnor Griffin is already turning heads in the lower minors. However, this glimmer of hope comes with a dose of reality: the organization has yet to promote a single Top 30 prospect to Pittsburgh this season. As the offense sputters and the losses mount, the pressure builds on the front office to inject some of that future talent into the current lineup.
The Pirates will look to bounce back tomorrow and even the series against the Mets. But one win won't solve the underlying issues. This team needs to find a way to consistently score runs to support its pitching staff, especially Mitch Keller. Until that happens, fans can likely expect more frustrating nights like this one, all while keeping a hopeful eye on the talent developing in the minors.
