![\"Mitch](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Keller-1120x630.jpg\")
Photo provided by Matt Lynch\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto provided by Matt Lynch\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
PITTSBURGH \u2014 The Pirates hit three home runs but were unable to overcome Mitch Keller\u2019s early struggles and were defeated 10-5 by the Braves in Thursday\u2019s rubber match at PNC Park.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scoring Plays<\/p>\n
Top 1st, 1-0 ATL: With two outs, Matt Olson clobbered a solo home run over the right field stands against Mitch Keller (6-7) to give the Braves (54-38) the lead. <\/p>\n
Top 3rd, 3-0 ATL: Ozzie Albies plated Michael Harris II with a double off the right field wall and scored on a two-out single from Mauricio Dub\u00f3n. <\/p>\n
Bottom 3rd, 3-2 ATL: Bryan Reynolds and Esmerlyn Valdez hit back-to-back home runs off Bryce Elder to get the Pirates (47-47) on the board. <\/p>\n
Top 4th, 6-2 ATL: The Braves immediately got the two runs back when Jim Jarvis hit a two-run shot to right field off Cam Sanders for his first-career home run. Later in the inning, Drake Baldwin singled home another run.<\/p>\n
Bottom 4th, 6-4 ATL: After Jared Triolo reached on catcher\u2019s interference, Jake Mangum hit a 405-foot home run to right field to bring the Pirates within two.<\/p>\n
Bottom 6th, 6-5 ATL: The Pirates got within one on a Mangum RBI double to right field off JR Ritchie. <\/p>\n
Top 9th, 10-5 ATL: With two outs in the inning, Mike Yastrzemski hit a grand slam off Dennis Santana to put the game out of reach.<\/p>\n
Key Moments<\/p>\n
The Pirates had the tying run on second with nobody out in the eighth but came up empty. Facing James Karinchak, Tyler Callihan struck out, Rafael Flores Jr. grounded out to short and Jared Triolo lined out to first. <\/p>\n
Player of the Game<\/p>\n
Jake Mangum had a season-high four hits and tied a season-high with three RBIs. He finished a triple shy of the cycle. <\/p>\n
Stat to Know<\/p>\n
Over his last eight starts dating back to May 30 against the Twins, Mitch Keller has a 7.62 ERA. In nine career starts against the Braves, Keller is 1-5 with an 8.01 ERA.<\/p>\n
Notable Performances<\/p>\n
Mitch Keller; 3.0 innings, four hits, three runs, two walks, three strikeouts, 72 pitches\/46 strikes<\/p>\n
Dennis Santana: 1.0 inning, three hits, four runs, two walks, one strikeout, 25 pitches\/15 strikes<\/p>\n
Jake Mangum: 4 for 5, one home run, one double, three RBI, one run<\/p>\n
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 4, one home run, one walk, one RBI, one run<\/p>\n
Esmerlyn Valdez: 1 for 4, one home run, one walk, one RBI, one run<\/p>\n
Noteworthy<\/p>\n
The Pirates have hit more home runs this year (???120) than they did all last season (117). <\/p>\n
Mitch Keller had his shortest start of the season and his shortest outing since going two innings against the Giants last year on July 28. <\/p>\n
The game was delayed for 38 minutes due to rain after the fifth inning. <\/p>\n
Up Next<\/p>\n
The Pirates welcome the first-place Brewers to PNC Park for a three-game set starting Friday night. All-Star RHP Braxton Ashcraft (9-3, 3.24 ERA) will be on the mound for Pittsburgh opposite RHP Brandon Sproat (3-4,5.13 ERA). First pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh\/93.7 The Fan.<\/p>\n
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