Jason Mackey: Offensive improvements have made wins like Saturday's possible for Pirates

A year ago, the Pirates blowing a six-run lead or their starting pitcher allowing a touchdown over four frames would've almost assuredly have added up to a loss, their ability to find that next offensive punch or gear severely lacking.

While not perfect, this group is different.

Through more than a third of the season, the Pirates are boast a top-five offense and reminded everyone why that matters Saturday during a 10-9 victory over the Minnesota Twins at PNC Park.

Mitch Keller, frustrated with his slider location, allowed a season-high seven runs, but Spencer Horwitz, Oneil Cruz and Jake Mangum homered. Talking Mangum specifically, he enjoyed what was likely the second-best game of his career aside from collecting four hits last season against the Pirates.

“We’ve shown really good fight throughout the course of the season,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said, “and throughout the course of the game [Saturday].”

Gregory Soto came up clutch with a four-out save while pitching on back-to-back days. However, it was Mangum’s impressive ninth-inning catch in the left-center gap to rob infielder Orlando Arcia that drew the attention.

For understandable — and often blinding — reasons.

“I've learned that a four o’clock game in Pittsburgh is a very difficult thing in left field,” Mangum said. “That sun, you wear shades, it’s too dark. You take the shades off, it’s too bright. There’s just no clean way to judge a ball.”

Well, Mangum somehow found one.

Just like how he found a 410-foot homer during a six-run second inning for the Pirates.

Four-seamer atop the zone. Mangum popped it 105 mph. While Mangum knew he got it, his teammates were certainly surprised. It’s not exactly Mangum’s thing.

“That might be the furthest ball I've seen him hit,” Brandon Lowe joked. “It might be the furthest ball he's ever hit.

"I’m not sure if that's true or not, but it definitely has to be up there.”

Mangum has been scuffling some at the plate, beginning the game with a .247 average but hitting just .185 in May. Amid the struggles, Mangum admitted he’s been wearing out the Pirates coaching staff with questions, trying to get hit swing back on track.

We'll see if a three-hit game like this can get him going.

“Since I came back from the [10-day injured list on May 17], I feel a lot more confident at the plate,” Mangum said. “Credit our coaching staff. They’ve helped me a ton.”

The other big hit during the Pirates’ first burst of offense was Cruz's 13th homer of the season. Four-seamer up. It was actually out of the strike zone, but Cruz sent the ball 420 feet with ease.

This follows a 450-foot shot into the Allegheny on Friday. Cruz has three homers in his past seven games after hitting one in his previous 22. The strikeouts are still coming at a concerning rate, but they’re slightly more more tolerable if he’s leaving the yard with regularity.

Less than 24 hours after Friday night’s game ended with a bang, Horwitz started Saturday’s contest for the Pirates in the same fashion, Pittsburgh’s first baseman clobbering a solo home run to lead off.

Bryan Reynolds — who had a two-run, walkoff homer Friday — and Horwitz became just the third pair of Pirates teammates since at least 1900 to hit a walkoff home run, followed by a leadoff home run, in sequential games.

Al Martin and Carlos Garcia also did it in September 1993, followed by Jacob Stallings and Adam Frazier in September 2020. Horwitz demolished an elevated four-seamer and finished it with a bat flip.

“The way he’s been swinging the bat has been tremendous,” Kelly said of Horwitz, who’s hitting .356 (26 for 73) with four doubles, four home runs, 13 RBIs, 11 walks and a 1.040 OPS over his past 22. Nobody has a higher batting average throughout MLB during that time.

The Pirates had a 7-1 lead after two, but Minnesota answered with one in the third and five in the fourth.

Center fielder Kody Clemens knocked in a run on his triple to center field. Shortstop Tristan Gray and first baseman Josh Bell then followed with two-run doubles nudge the Twins to within a run before Clemens picked up another big against Keller.

Clemens swung at the first pitch — a sweeper Keller left up — and hit a line drive to right field to tie the game at seven.

“Just kind of frustrating when you get a huge lead like that,” Keller said. “Obviously I want to make it a quick outing. I’m not trying to give up seven.

"Man, crazy game. Glad the boys could stick it out and get that win.”

Mangum’s homer was the headliner, but he delivered another really good at-bat in the fifth, again pushing the Pirates in front. Another elevated heater, Mangum shot it the other way for a run-scoring single.

A sneaky important part of this one was the Pirates’ aggressive baserunning, as they stole five bases. Cruz led the way with two, while Endy Rodriguez, Mangum and Jared Triolo all had steals.

Rodriguez walked and stole second to open the seventh. A bunt base hit from Mangum moved Rodriguez to third. Jared Triolo scored Rodriguez with a soft fly ball to right. Reynolds gave the Pirates a 10th run with his sacrifice fly.

The lead held this time because of a solid job by the bullpen, Kelly pushing the pedal down to complete a sixth straight series victory against an American League opponent.

Yohan Ramirez, Evan Sisk and Dennis Santana followed Keller with three scoreless innings. Mason Montgomery struggled some (two earned runs allowed in 2/3 of an inning), but Soto entered early to secure the save.

It was the type of game the Pirates lost often last year, an initial punch never properly followed. They’re equipped to do that this year, which has been fun to watch.

“I know Mitch probably isn’t happy with his start today,” said Lowe, who was ejected in the fourth inning following what Kelly described as a “total miscommunication.”

“Nine times out of 10 you get a quality start out of [Keller], and just big day for the offense to just show up and score a lot of runs for our guys.”

Among other thoughts:

• Carmen Mlodzinski will pitch Sunday following Braxton Ashcraft, Kelly said postgame. That’s why they didn’t go to him following Keller. I’ve maintained this move makes a bunch of sense. It’s been the biggest weak spot for the team. It allows the bullpen to rest. It’s also a niche where Mlodzinski can put up some really good numbers. I understand his frustration not being in the starting rotation, but the decision there is hardly final.

• Ryan O’Hearn will be back Sunday. It will be interesting to see who’s sent out to make room. Top options, I would imagine, are Jhostynxon Garcia and Tyler Callihan. The latter is here as injury insurance with Konnor Griffin and Nick Gonzales. Not sure where Garcia would get consistent enough at-bats.

• Pirates would wrap up their homestead at 5-2 with a win. That’s not bad at all. It would give them a 16-12 May and momentum heading into Houston. But have to get more offense and quality innings from Ashcraft and Mlodzinski first.

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.