Gritty Pirates prove they're unlike recent squads with resilient extra-innings win

MILWAUKEE -- Things are changing in Pittsburgh. In what has been a historically great National League Central to begin the season, the Pirates are proving they belong.

The latest indication this Buccos squad is different came in the fashion of a 6-3 win over the Brewers in 10 innings on Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd of 40,408 at American Family Field.

It’s just the third time the Pirates (16-11) have won each of their first three series against division opponents (Reds, Cubs and Brewers) since the NL Central formed in 1994. The only other occasions came in 2014 and 2018 (first four series), with the former being a playoff team that finished with 88 wins, and the latter the last Pirates squad to finish with a winning record (82-79).

“Huge. I mean, there’s quite a few of us that have been here [a while]. I honestly don’t remember the last time we won a series here,” said starter Mitch Keller, who tossed five-plus innings of three-run ball. “It feels really good, especially going in tomorrow with a chance to sweep. It’s always huge.”

It’s the first road series win against the Brewers since July 9-11, 2024. But that sweep Keller mentioned? Pittsburgh has done that in Milwaukee only four times in franchise history -- the latest being Aug. 25-28, 2016.

These wins are proving that this is more than just a hot start.

“That’s a really good team and they know what they’re doing out there, and they play really good baseball,” said Nick Gonzales, who drove in a pair of insurance runs in the 10th inning to push the lead to three. “To come out here and do that is impressive for us, and I think we’re a good team as well. So I think we just keep proving that to ourselves and the league.”

That’s easier said than done, but there’s no reason to believe the Pirates are anything but a good team. Their +29 run differential is fourth best in the NL, trailing only the Braves (61), Dodgers (61) and Cubs (37).

The Pirates’ 3.30 team ERA is the third-best mark in the Major Leagues, behind the Yankees (3.10) and Braves (3.24). Their 135 runs scored are the seventh most in baseball. None of that matters unless it translates into wins, but so far, that hasn’t been a problem for Pittsburgh, either.

Pittsburgh is now 6-2 against the division this year, all of which have come on the road. The Bucs won seven games on the road all year against NL Central opponents (7-19) last season. That total can be matched on Sunday, just nine games into the divisional matchups.

“I think we’ve seen it so far. … That gritty, dirtbag ballplayer,” manager Don Kelly said of his team’s style. “That Pittsburgh identity of grit and grinding out at-bats, games, pitches, and we’ve shown that so far this year. Being resilient, coming back, being able to bounce back after some tough losses. That’s what it’s going to take throughout the season, showing up every day with that attitude.”

That was on full display Saturday. The Pirates scored in only two frames before extra innings, and the Brewers matched them each time in the bottom half. Instead of buckling under pressure in a tough environment, Bucs relievers tossed five scoreless frames to set up the offense in the 10th. Bryan Reynolds came through first with a single to left before Gonzales quieted the packed ballpark.

Pittsburgh had lost eight straight against the back-to-back-to-back division champs before this series. The Bucs took down a pair of All-Star starters in Brandon Woodruff and Jacob Misiorowski to end that streak. The team also hasn’t lost back-to-back games since dropping to 0-2 to begin the season.

That’s growth. That’s proving this team is different.

“Pittsburgh deserves a lot of credit. They're playing with confidence. They're good. They improved the team punch,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “They added some pieces and those guys are coming through, and the pitching is great.”

The camaraderie in the clubhouse is another example of that confidence. Paul Skenes, after flirting with a perfect game in the opener, joking with rookie Konnor Griffin after his first career homer was the latest proof this team is bonding well. The additions of veterans such as Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna this offseason also helped shape that.

That’s why the Pirates are sticking around. And they don’t plan on going anywhere.

“We need to keep earning it. It’s a daily thing,” Kelly said. “That’s something that I don’t want to feel, and I don’t want the guys to feel that -- we certainly haven’t made it. We still need to keep grinding it out, getting after it and continue to earn that respect every day.”