The home run was a glaring weakness with the Pirates in 2025. A year later, it has unquestionably become a strength.
Looking to avoid a series sweep Sunday against the Reds at PNC Park, the Pirates again relied on the long ball, getting two home runs from Ryan O’Hearn and one apiece from Tyler Callihan and Esmerlyn Valdez en route to a 9-4 victory.
It was the third multi-homer game of O’Hearn’s career and the third time this season the Pirates have had four homers in a game, enabling them to avoid a series sweep.
“It’s been a tough series for us,” O’Hearn said. “But to come away with a win [Sunday] and save the series was good.”
Following a 65-minute rain delay, O’Hearn allowed everyone to breathe easier in the eighth with a three-run shot on a curveball low in the zone. Valdez then showcased his impressive raw power, cranking one to right-center that left his bat at 109.8 mph and traveled 461 feet.
Callihan hit his — a three-run shot — in a four-run second for the Pirates, who improved to 42-42 with the win.
The Pirates now have 105 home runs in 84 games, which represents a full-season pace of 203. That would shatter the franchise’s single-season mark of 171 in 1999. Brandon Lowe leads the way with 20, already matching Oneil Cruz’s team-high total from a year ago just past the season’s midpoint.
Furthermore, the Pirates have already hit 60 home runs at home, trouncing the number they put over the fence at PNC Park in 2025: 49.
“[Hitting coach] Matt Hague and the hitting group set a really good foundation last year on implementing their system, and that takes time,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “The guys that were here and came back, and then with the external additions, it's been a really good mix.”
On the homestand, as the Pirates went 3-3 against the Mariners and Reds, Pittsburgh batters collected 11 home runs across those six games, most among any MLB team.
O’Hearn’s 105.9-mph blast put the Pirates ahead for good, as he crushed a 2-2 cutter up 421 feet to right field for his 12th of the season. In his last 18 home games, O’Hearn is hitting .324 (22 for 68) with six home runs and 15 RBIs, which included a season-high four hits Wednesday against Seattle.
“I'm trying to do damage every time I go up there,” O’Hearn said. “Especially late in the game like that, If I can give us a little breathing room, it feels good. It makes the ninth inning a lot less stressful.”
It also sounds like O’Hearn’s homer motivated Valdez, who has been on an impressive heater. With a homer and double Sunday, the 22-year-old is now hitting .500 (9 for 18) with three doubles and three home runs over his past six games.
The dugout erupted when Valdez clobbered his homer on an elevated 2-2 fastball, everyone enjoying his immense raw power. With Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz on the injured list, there’s opportunity for Valdez to play, and he’s absolutely taking advantage of it.
“It’s the work that I’ve been doing,” Valdez said, with Major League coach Stephen Morales translating. “It’s reflecting in the game. I feel more confident when it comes to swinging the bat and my approach.”
Whenever O’Hearn hit his homer — lessening the chances of another bullpen mishap — Valdez admitted he stared to think about going back-to-back.
“It gave me a boost,” Valdez said. “I told myself, ‘Go ahead, Esmerlyn. You can do it as well.’ ”
Mitch Keller started, worked six innings and improved to 6-5, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
The 79-pitch outing continued a recent stretch that has seen Keller attack more, the righty filling up the zone and challenging hitters. He has a 3.64 ERA in that span (7 earned runs allowed in 17 1/3 innings) with six walks and 15 strikeouts.
“Definitely starting to feel like I'm getting in a little bit more of a rhythm,” Keller said. “Obviously there's more I clean up and execute better. But happy with the way it's trending.”
After a Valdez RBI double, Callihan upped Pittsburgh’s lead to 4-0 with a three-run shot, continuing the success he’s experienced at PNC Park this season. Getting a 1-0 sinker middle-in, Callihan turned and blasted the pitch 412 feet to right at 107 mph.
Over his past 13 home games, Callihan is hitting ..333 (10 for 30) with two doubles, two triples, three home runs and nine RBIs.
“I feel like I see the ball pretty well here,” Callihan said. “Comfortable, crowd’s nice … yeah I just feel pretty comfortable here.”
Around the horn
Bryan Reynolds two walks, extending his on-base streak to 33 games. That’s the longest for a Pirate since Brian Giles had a 35-game run in 2001. … General manager Ben Cherington said pregame that Cruz was heading to Florida to continue his rehab from two hand fractures. … Carmen Mlodzinski followed Keller with two scoreless innings, and Dennis Santana finished with one.
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH.