Pirates fall to Cubs 3-2 on June 15, 2025, after Ian Happ's walk-off. A gem from Mitch Keller wasn't enough to overcome the late-game heartbreak at Wrigley.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's the kind of loss that stings just a little bit more. After battling their division rival for nine hard-fought innings, the Pittsburgh Pirates saw their hopes dashed in the 10th at Wrigley Field. A walk-off single from Ian Happ sent the home crowd into a frenzy and the Pirates back to the clubhouse with a bitter 3-2 defeat, dropping their record to 29-43 on the season.
6 Innings, 2 Hits, 2 Earned Runs, 6 Strikeouts. Mitch Keller was brilliant, but it wasn't enough to secure a win.
Things couldn't have started better for the Bucs. They jumped on the Cubs immediately in the first inning, with Oneil Cruz kicking things off with a single. Spencer Horwitz followed with an RBI single of his own, and Nick Gonzales later scored on an Alexander Canario groundout to give Pittsburgh a quick 2-0 lead. It felt like the perfect recipe for a Sunday win. But the offense went quiet from there, unable to capitalize on later opportunities, including a second hit from Horwitz that advanced a runner to third. The Cubs chipped away and eventually tied it, setting the stage for the late-game drama.
The most frustrating part of the loss was watching a masterful performance from Mitch Keller go to waste. After allowing two runs, Keller was absolutely dominant, pitching six strong innings on just 88 pitches. He allowed only two hits all day, striking out six and keeping the Cubs' bats guessing. He left the game with the score tied 2-2, handing it over to a bullpen that was solid until the very end. Colin Mattson, Aroldis Santana, and David Bednar combined for 3.1 scoreless frames before Bednar was tagged with the loss in the 10th after Happ's game-winning hit. It was another 'what could have been' start for Keller, whose ERA now sits at a tidy 3.38.
While the on-field result was disappointing, some off-field news provided a dose of stability. As trade speculation swirled, reports ahead of the game reiterated that the Pirates have zero intention of trading ace Paul Skenes. With a sparkling 1.88 ERA, the Cy Young contender is the undisputed anchor of this rotation and the cornerstone of the franchise's future. Speaking of the future, top prospect Griffin continues to turn heads down on the farm. His elite athleticism is on full display as coaches rotate him between shortstop and the outfield, a move designed to maximize his versatility and accelerate his development. His performance is generating significant buzz, a reminder that more help is on the way.
Losing a walk-off to a rival is a tough pill to swallow, no matter how you slice it. Today's game was a microcosm of the season: brilliant starting pitching, flashes of offensive potential, but an inability to close it out. Still, with Mitch Keller dealing, Paul Skenes firmly off the market, and talent like Griffin developing in the minors, the long-term vision remains. The Bucs will have to shake this one off quickly and find a way to string together some wins.
