![\"Paul](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778652073_683_Skenes2-1120x630.jpeg\")
Photo provided by Eddie Provident \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto provided by Eddie Provident \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Pirates didn\u2019t have the look of a contending team during their four-game series against the Reds.<\/p>\n
After a disappointing 2-4 homestand at PNC Park, Pittsburgh made the short trip west to Cincinnati to face the last-place Reds looking to reclaim some momentum. Instead, the Pirates lost the series and are now 3-8 over their last 11 games. <\/p>\n
Doing a bullpen game isn\u2019t ideal for a team in the playoff race, but a string of doubleheaders and a stretch of 17 games in 17 days forced the Pirates\u2019 hand in a way. The bullpen game actually worked well on Thursday night, but the Pirates only pushed across two runs and were walked-off by the Reds in the first game of the series.<\/p>\n
Friday night\u2019s game was a nightmare for more reasons than one. The Pirates scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning to take a 7-5 lead, but a crucial misplay by Nick Gonzales at third base aided the bullpen in blowing its 20th save of the season for a fourth straight loss. <\/p>\n
Paul Skenes started that game for the Pirates and struggled again. He allowed five runs on seven hits and walked four in four innings. The reigning Cy Young winner now has a 3.90 ERA on the season. The Pirates needed their ace to be a stopper. He was not. <\/p>\n
To make matters worse, Ryan O\u2019Hearn exited the game in the top of the ninth inning. It turns out he won\u2019t be able to return until at least the middle of September \u2014 if at all \u2014 with a strained left quad. At least first baseman Spencer Horwitz returned to the field on Sunday. <\/p>\n
The Pirates did well to win on a rainy Saturday night. They beat a left-handed starter after losing each of their last five games started by southpaws. Braxton Ashcraft rebounded. Carmen Mlodzinski followed with three-strong innings out of the bullpen. Gregory Soto looked sharp and notched his 14th save. <\/p>\n
But the Pirates were unable to draw even with the Reds after getting crushed 10-2 in the finale on Sunday afternoon. Mitch Keller\u2019s season-long struggles continued. Chase Burns, who started for the Reds, is pitching the way the Pirates need Skenes to. <\/p>\n
With their latest loss, the Pirates fell below .500 with a 56-57 record. At the conclusion of Sunday\u2019s game, they are three games out of a wild card spot.<\/p>\n
The Pirates are still in contention, but their current rough patch couldn\u2019t have come at a much worse time. <\/p>\n
MLB\u2019s trade deadline is Monday at 6 p.m. ET. The Pirates still have every intention of adding to the club, and they\u2019re expected to make more moves after acquiring Camilo Doval from the Yankees on Saturday. Perhaps a few fresh faces will do the trick, but Pittsburgh quickly needs to get back on track. <\/p>\n
After a brutal stretch of the schedule in which the Pirates largely stayed afloat, even without some key players, the Pirates had a golden opportunity to gain ground in the race with four games against the worst team in their division. A team that will be subtracting from their roster at the deadline instead of adding. <\/p>\n
At the very least, the Pirates should\u2019ve split this series. But a contending team would have found a way to win it. They did not, and they can\u2019t afford to keep slipping. And things aren\u2019t going to get any easier with four games coming up against the first-place Brewers in Milwaukee.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> <\/p>\n