Quintana, Pirates learn good things come to those who wait

PITTSBURGH -- The streak, at long last, is over.

In their 28th game of the season, a Pirates starting pitcher finally recorded a win. After tossing six scoreless innings, José Quintana left with a one-run lead that was never lost as the Bucs beat the Dodgers, 5-1, on Monday night at PNC Park, putting an end to the longest stretch of a team not having a starter pick up a win in MLB history.

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“I’m really happy to be the first one,” Quintana said. “Hopefully tomorrow, [Bryse] Wilson will throw the ball well and keep it going. When you play games like that, your confidence goes a little higher, especially when you play teams like the Dodgers.”

That Pittsburgh’s starting rotation went this long without recording a win -- a streak that usurped the 1988 Orioles, who began the season 0-21 -- has been a combination of performance, strategy and a little bad luck.

The Pirates entered play Monday with the third-worst starting rotation ERA in baseball at 5.40; when starters are getting knocked around, they’re probably not going to pitch five innings. There’s also bullpen usage. The deployment of multi-inning relievers and the occasional use of an opener have made it so that it’s not uncommon to see a starter go fewer than five frames. Even with those factors in mind, it hasn’t exactly been uncommon for a starter to be in a position to earn the win and come away empty-handed.

Mitch Keller has drawn the short stick a couple of times. The right-hander allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings against the Brewers on April 20, then pitched six innings of one-run ball against the Padres on May 1. He got the loss in the former and a no-decision in the latter. Zach Thompson put up a valiant effort on Sunday, pitching five scoreless innings despite feeling under the weather and requiring an IV following his outing.

Quintana has also drawn the short stick a couple of times this season. He allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings in the home opener but was saddled with the loss. He was pulled with two outs in the fifth inning on April 22, falling short of the five-frame minimum. He allowed one run across five innings in his next start against the Brewers but didn’t factor in the decision.

Against his toughest competition of the year, though, Quintana became the first pitcher to break the seal.

“It was nice to see him pitch that well,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. “We’re talking about a good club. This club’s got however many wins they got, and they’re really good. To come out and do it against that lineup is really impressive.”

While Quintana exited with only a one-run lead, Pittsburgh’s bats provided much-needed insurance late. Michael Perez popped his second home run in as many days. Michael Chavis drove in Ke'Bryan Hayes -- who recorded his fourth three-hit game of the season -- on a sacrifice fly. And Jack Suwinski provided the finishing touches with the first jack of his career, a 425-foot solo shot to center field.

“I’ve been thinking about that for a long time,” Suwinski said. “It still is mind-boggling once it happens.”

On a personal level, the win was important for Quintana. The veteran now has 84 career victories in his career, but this was his first win since Sept. 5, 2019 -- 977 days ago. He was limited to four games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and he described 2021 as his worst season, one in which he saw extensive time in the bullpen.

So with 2 1/2 years between wins, Quintana unsurprisingly exuded joy when talking about the milestone.

“I never quit,” Quintana said. “I kept working hard. I knew this day would come one day. I’m really happy to get a win against a team like that.”

Now, Pittsburgh’s starters begin the quest for their second win as a collective -- one they hope won’t take another 28 games.