Mitch Keller ends his 15-start winless streak as Bryan Reynolds homers in the Pirates' 9-1 rout of the Mets on June 28. Recap the dominant performance.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Exhale, Pittsburgh. After 15 long starts, a franchise-record stretch of frustration, Mitch Keller is finally a winner again. The Pirates' ace was sharp, the bats were thunderous, and for one night at PNC Park, everything clicked in a dominant 9-1 victory over the New York Mets that felt like more than just a single win.
Mitch Keller earned his first win since Opening Day, ending a franchise-record 15-start single-season winless streak.
It's the story every Pirates fan has been waiting for. Mitch Keller, the team's Opening Day starter, finally has a 'W' next to his name for the first time since March 28. He battled through 5.1 innings, scattering five hits and allowing just a single run (a solo shot by Juan Soto) while striking out four. The numbers (2-10, 3.90 ERA) don't tell the whole story of his season, but tonight's performance was a massive weight lifted off his shoulders and the entire organization. He hadn't won at PNC Park in his last 16 starts, a streak of misfortune that is now, thankfully, history.
While Keller's win was the headline, the offense made sure it would stand up. Bryan Reynolds, who has been shaking off a June slump, looked every bit the All-Star, going 3-for-5. He capped his night with a towering three-run homer in the sixth that blew the game wide open. It was his 10th of the year and marked his fourth multi-hit game in his last five starts. He wasn't alone, either. The Bucs ambushed the Mets with a four-run second inning, with Jared Triolo, Alexander Canario, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa all driving in runs. Not to be outdone, veteran Tommy Pham extended his hitting streak to four games, driving in two runs himself and providing a steady, professional presence in the lineup.
This decisive victory, which snapped a skid where the team had lost eight of its previous 11 games, provides a much-needed morale boost. But it wasn't just the win, it was how they did it. The ace pitched like an ace, the star hitter delivered in the clutch, and the supporting cast contributed. It's the formula for success, and the team showed they can execute it. As the team looks ahead, there's more good news on the horizon. Down in the minors, top prospect Griffin continues to turn heads with his incredible athleticism and defensive versatility, splitting time between shortstop and the outfield. His development is a bright spot for the future of the organization.
One game doesn't make a season, but this wasn't just any game. With Keller's streak broken and the offense firing on all cylinders, the Pirates have a major shot of momentum. The challenge now is to carry it forward and prove this wasn't a one-night wonder, but the start of a summer turnaround. Let's see if they can build on it tomorrow and take the series.
