Pirates fall to Rangers 3-2 on June 21, 2025, despite efforts from Henry Davis & Oneil Cruz. A costly error dooms Mitch Keller in a tight loss at PNC Park.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another one of *those* games at PNC Park on Saturday. The kind of tight, winnable contest that ends in frustration. Despite a gritty performance, the Pittsburgh Pirates dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker to the Texas Rangers, unable to overcome a couple of key mistakes and find the one big hit they desperately needed.
Mitch Keller's season record fell to a baffling 1-10, a testament to the razor-thin margin for error this pitching staff has been given all season.
The game was a classic pitcher's duel that hinged on a few crucial moments. The Rangers struck first in the third inning on an RBI single by Kyle Higashioka, aided by a costly error in left field that allowed the rally to continue. The Bucs fought back, tying the game 1-1 in the fifth when Oneil Cruz lofted a sacrifice fly to score a hustling Henry Davis. But the tie was short-lived. Texas reclaimed the lead for good in the sixth with a Corey Seager RBI single and a Marcus Semien sacrifice fly, putting the Pirates in a 3-1 hole they couldn't quite escape, despite clawing one run back in the bottom of the frame.
While the final score stings, the continued progress from the battery mates provided a reason for optimism. Catcher Henry Davis was a force at the plate, going 2-for-4 and scoring one of the team's two runs. He's swinging a hot bat, and his presence is becoming crucial. Meanwhile, Oneil Cruz continued his productive month, driving in the other run with his fifth-inning sacrifice fly, showcasing the improved plate discipline and timely hitting that could make him a cornerstone of this offense.
Once again, Mitch Keller gave the Pirates a chance to win and walked away with a loss next to his name. The Pirates' ace battled for six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out five. It was a solid, if not spectacular, outing that on most nights should be enough. Instead, he was saddled with his 10th loss of the year. His 4.08 ERA tells the story of a pitcher who has been largely effective, but his 1-10 record tells the story of an offense that has consistently failed to support him. Saturday was a microcosm of his entire season.
With the loss, the Pirates are left searching for answers on how to turn these tight contests into victories. The pitching, even with injuries to key arms like Jared Jones, is keeping them in games. Now, the offense needs to find a way to deliver the knockout blow. They'll get another chance in the series finale, hoping to salvage a win against the Rangers and build some momentum.
