Pirates offense finally erupts in rout of Mets, snapping four-game slide
As the Pirates’ losing skid has continued, it’s become more and more clear that something would have to give.
Either this continues — which obviously nobody wants — or their top-three offense or that talented group of starting pitchers could take the reins.
Fortunately for the Pirates, the offense and starting pitching shined and snapped a frustrating stretch Saturday against the Mets at PNC Park. Bubba Chandler delivered a much-needed quality start, arguably the best of the season for him, and the offense finally shifted out of neutral during an 9-0 victory.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Pirates and upped their record to 58-61. They actually hadn’t scored more than four runs in a game since July, a downturn that was seemingly wearing on those inside the clubhouse.
But in a game the Pirates really needed to win, the offensive sparks flew early and often.
Jake Mangum contributed three hits, including two doubles, out of the leadoff spot. The top four hitters in the Pirates’ lineup accounted for seven of their nine runs scored.
Ronny Simon, nudged up in the lineup when Endy Rodriguez was scratched with left hip discomfort, continued to inject some energy into the lineup. He collected two more hits, stole a base, knocked in two with a double and scored a run.
Henry Davis also stood out. With his two singles, sure. But he handled Chandler very well and threw out center fielder Luis Robert Jr. trying to steal in the second inning.
The Mets were aggressive in testing Rafael Flores Jr. Friday. Not so much a day later with Davis behind the plate.
As for Chandler, this was a gem of a start for him: six innings, three hits, no runs, a walk and five strikeouts. The right-hander threw 85 pitches, 58 for strikes and racked up 11 whiffs. He pounded the zone. He didn't waver. He continues to trend in a positive direction.
Whether it was on purpose or not, Chandler featured his four-seamer and sinker a little more than usual and leveraged his slider as the main secondary offering. Chandler’s changeup, which has been his best pitch at times this season, was his least used on this night.
Whatever. It worked. And the Pirates need more of it from Chandler, who has a 2.36 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 26 2/3 innings over his past five starts, giving Pittsburgh its best batch of starting pitching during that time.
The trick now, of course, is to repeat the process. Saturday offered the template in terms of passing the baton and what happens when the Pirates get a quality start — just their fifth in 22 games (8-14) since the All-Star break.
But if they’re able to do this more, starting with Jared Jones Sunday, then we might have something here.
The Pirates’ offensive explosion started innocently enough, as Nick Gonzales drove in the first run on a bouncer back to the pitcher in the bottom of the first. It picked up steam when Simon shot a double the other way, into left field, on a first-pitch sinker.
Simon was at it again in the third. He singled, stole second and scored on Jacob Gonzalez’s line-drive single on a two-strike changeup that was down and away — hooking it into right field for a 4-0 Pirates advantage.
Mangum, who entered Saturday’s game hitting .318 with a .782 OPS over his last 56 games, notched the second of his three hits to kickstart a four-run fourth, busting this game open.
On another first-pitch sinker, this one a little away, Mangum went the other way for an RBI double. It scored Davis, who was hustling all the way from first base. Mangum would score on a wild pitch to extend the Pirates’ lead to 6-0.
Gonzales followed with his line-drive double to left on a two-strike fastball left over the heart of the plate. That scored two more, giving the Pirates an 8-0 advantage.
Brandon Lowe added a solo homer in the seventh. It was his 25th and 24th as a second baseman, breaking Neil Walker’s franchise record for that position.
This story will be updated.
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.