Just a week ago, the Pirates were riding high on a six-game winning streak after outscoring the Mets and Cardinals, 43-4. Now, they are reeling into the All-Star break, searching for that same level of offensive production.
The Pirates have lost six straight, following their 4-3 loss to the Royals tonight at Kauffman Stadium. After getting shut out in Seattle, the Pirates' offense mustered 18 hits and three home runs in Kansas City while scoring nine runs. They had two or more hits in an inning twice and scored at least two runs both times.
This level of production isn't anything new. The Pirates are reverting to their norm. They rank last in Major League Baseball in slugging percentage (.340), OPS (.641), home runs (64), and doubles (123), are second-to-last in runs (319) and RBIs (309), and have grounded into the second-most double plays (77).
"Over the losing streak, the offense has been struggling. I don't think that was the case tonight, solely," Don Kelly said of his team's eight-hit, three-run performance. "We put together some good at-bats, we swung the bats pretty well, especially in that sixth inning there, finding some ways to push some runs across. We just need to find a way to get more."
That starts with getting runners on base. Over this three-game stretch, the Pirates' leadoff hitter reached base seven times -- three of those came tonight -- and they scored at least one run in three of those innings. When they've had offensive success this season, they've strung hits together to move runners into scoring position and capitalized on mistakes made by defenses. But it all starts with that first hitter.
"Most of the time, whenever we're able to get that first guy on, good things happen in that inning," Ke'Bryan Hayes said. "So, whether it be -- even if we don't score, we make that pitcher work and we get into the bullpen earlier. I think just being able to get that first guy on is huge for us."
The offense also hasn't gotten production from some of its best hitters. Bryan Reynolds is 2 for 30 with 13 strikeouts in July, and Oneil Cruz is 3 for 25 with seven. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is hitting .174, and Andrew McCutchen is just below him at .167. Pham has been the Pirates' best hitter with a .409 average and 1.116 OPS.
When the Pirates have gotten into deep lulls this season, they've pressed and hitters have tried to solve the problem with one swing. That can't be the case in Pittsburgh, according to Hayes.
"I think just for us, we've just got to be able to have each other's back," he said. "If one guy's not able to get it done, we can't really try to be like, 'Man, I got to get this done.' Instead of having that in your head when you're going up there, just being able to control what you can control and being able to just work a good at-bat and make solid, hard contact. At the end of the day, if we're able to do that, more times than not, we're going to come out on the other side in a good way."
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
6:17 am - 07.10.2025KANSAS CITY, MO.Kelly: Offense must 'find a way'
Just a week ago, the Pirates were riding high on a six-game winning streak after outscoring the Mets and Cardinals, 43-4. Now, they are reeling into the All-Star break, searching for that same level of offensive production.
The Pirates have lost six straight, following their 4-3 loss to the Royals tonight at Kauffman Stadium. After getting shut out in Seattle, the Pirates' offense mustered 18 hits and three home runs in Kansas City while scoring nine runs. They had two or more hits in an inning twice and scored at least two runs both times.
This level of production isn't anything new. The Pirates are reverting to their norm. They rank last in Major League Baseball in slugging percentage (.340), OPS (.641), home runs (64), and doubles (123), are second-to-last in runs (319) and RBIs (309), and have grounded into the second-most double plays (77).
"Over the losing streak, the offense has been struggling. I don't think that was the case tonight, solely," Don Kelly said of his team's eight-hit, three-run performance. "We put together some good at-bats, we swung the bats pretty well, especially in that sixth inning there, finding some ways to push some runs across. We just need to find a way to get more."
That starts with getting runners on base. Over this three-game stretch, the Pirates' leadoff hitter reached base seven times -- three of those came tonight -- and they scored at least one run in three of those innings. When they've had offensive success this season, they've strung hits together to move runners into scoring position and capitalized on mistakes made by defenses. But it all starts with that first hitter.
"Most of the time, whenever we're able to get that first guy on, good things happen in that inning," Ke'Bryan Hayes said. "So, whether it be -- even if we don't score, we make that pitcher work and we get into the bullpen earlier. I think just being able to get that first guy on is huge for us."
The offense also hasn't gotten production from some of its best hitters. Bryan Reynolds is 2 for 30 with 13 strikeouts in July, and Oneil Cruz is 3 for 25 with seven. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is hitting .174, and Andrew McCutchen is just below him at .167. Pham has been the Pirates' best hitter with a .409 average and 1.116 OPS.
When the Pirates have gotten into deep lulls this season, they've pressed and hitters have tried to solve the problem with one swing. That can't be the case in Pittsburgh, according to Hayes.
"I think just for us, we've just got to be able to have each other's back," he said. "If one guy's not able to get it done, we can't really try to be like, 'Man, I got to get this done.' Instead of having that in your head when you're going up there, just being able to control what you can control and being able to just work a good at-bat and make solid, hard contact. At the end of the day, if we're able to do that, more times than not, we're going to come out on the other side in a good way."
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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