Since taking over as the Pirates manager on May 8, Don Kelly has talked about a process to turn the 2025 season around. At the front of his mind is instilling an intentional work ethic that would turn the team's off-the-field work into results.
After a month at the helm, Kelly is starting to see it play out in front of him. The latest result was a 10-3 win over the Marlins tonight at PNC Park in which his offense delivered 15 hits -- the second highest total of the year -- four of which went for extra bases, and an 8-for-19 performance with runners in scoring position. Kelly improved to 15-14 as the club's manager and is above .500 for the first time since taking two of three from the Braves during his first series in early May.
"The way we're running the bases. Getting bunts down, playing the small game," Kelly said. "Even when we haven't gotten guys over, there is intent to get guys over. Just the intent of how we're going about it has been really good. We talked about that process earlier, and how it will lead to more wins."
The Pirates secured their first four-game winning streak since beating the Nationals on Sept. 8 before sweeping the Marlins at PNC Park. Since May 9 -- Kelly's first game as manager -- the Pirates are 8-6 in one-run games, have won six by three runs or more and also lost seven by three runs or more. They've also found ways to battle back when they've been behind. Their efforts against the Phillies this past weekend were the latest example.
Since Kelly took over, they had the second-best fielding percentage (.992) in the major leagues coming into tonight and the starting rotation owned Major League Baseball's best ERA (2.62), third-best WHIP (1.04) and second-best batting average against (.204).
“He’s just great," Bryan Reynolds would say about playing under Kelly. "Everyone in here loves him. He’s fun to play for, so not much more you can ask.”
The Pirates will try for their first five-game winning streak since mid-July when Mitch Keller faces off with Sandy Alcantara in the second of their three-game set.
• Brett Sullivan, who was called up this weekend when Endy Rodriguez was placed on the injured list with right-elbow inflammation, wasn't completely unfamiliar with Mike Burrows when he made his first start as a Pirate. After being acquired from the Padres on April 16 for minor-league outfielder Bryce Johnson and cash, Sullivan caught Burrows twice with Class AAA Indianapolis.
Over those two starts, Burrows threw 9 2/3 innings, allowed six hits and one earned run while striking out 18, including 11 in his May 11 start against Columbus. So, when Sullivan was slotted in behind the plate, it was business as usual as Burrows struck out six and walked three over 4 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs.
"(I have) a lot of confidence in him back there," Burrows said. "Just tried to do the same up here. No more conversation. Same as always.”
• The Pirates sprayed the ball all over the field. Of their 15 hits, nine went the opposite way. Adam Frazier singled to left field three times while both Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz doubled into the North Side Notch. They touched up Eury Pérez, who was making his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024, for four hits and four earned runs over three innings.
"It was great. Gap to gap. Like we talked about, staying within ourselves and not trying to go up and hit the home run," Kelly said. "Just lining balls to the outfield."
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!
THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
4:42 am - 06.10.2025NORTH SHOREExtra Bases: Kelly's 'process' paying off
Since taking over as the Pirates manager on May 8, Don Kelly has talked about a process to turn the 2025 season around. At the front of his mind is instilling an intentional work ethic that would turn the team's off-the-field work into results.
After a month at the helm, Kelly is starting to see it play out in front of him. The latest result was a 10-3 win over the Marlins tonight at PNC Park in which his offense delivered 15 hits -- the second highest total of the year -- four of which went for extra bases, and an 8-for-19 performance with runners in scoring position. Kelly improved to 15-14 as the club's manager and is above .500 for the first time since taking two of three from the Braves during his first series in early May.
"The way we're running the bases. Getting bunts down, playing the small game," Kelly said. "Even when we haven't gotten guys over, there is intent to get guys over. Just the intent of how we're going about it has been really good. We talked about that process earlier, and how it will lead to more wins."
The Pirates secured their first four-game winning streak since beating the Nationals on Sept. 8 before sweeping the Marlins at PNC Park. Since May 9 -- Kelly's first game as manager -- the Pirates are 8-6 in one-run games, have won six by three runs or more and also lost seven by three runs or more. They've also found ways to battle back when they've been behind. Their efforts against the Phillies this past weekend were the latest example.
Since Kelly took over, they had the second-best fielding percentage (.992) in the major leagues coming into tonight and the starting rotation owned Major League Baseball's best ERA (2.62), third-best WHIP (1.04) and second-best batting average against (.204).
“He’s just great," Bryan Reynolds would say about playing under Kelly. "Everyone in here loves him. He’s fun to play for, so not much more you can ask.”
The Pirates will try for their first five-game winning streak since mid-July when Mitch Keller faces off with Sandy Alcantara in the second of their three-game set.
• Brett Sullivan, who was called up this weekend when Endy Rodriguez was placed on the injured list with right-elbow inflammation, wasn't completely unfamiliar with Mike Burrows when he made his first start as a Pirate. After being acquired from the Padres on April 16 for minor-league outfielder Bryce Johnson and cash, Sullivan caught Burrows twice with Class AAA Indianapolis.
Over those two starts, Burrows threw 9 2/3 innings, allowed six hits and one earned run while striking out 18, including 11 in his May 11 start against Columbus. So, when Sullivan was slotted in behind the plate, it was business as usual as Burrows struck out six and walked three over 4 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs.
"(I have) a lot of confidence in him back there," Burrows said. "Just tried to do the same up here. No more conversation. Same as always.”
• The Pirates sprayed the ball all over the field. Of their 15 hits, nine went the opposite way. Adam Frazier singled to left field three times while both Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz doubled into the North Side Notch. They touched up Eury Pérez, who was making his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024, for four hits and four earned runs over three innings.
"It was great. Gap to gap. Like we talked about, staying within ourselves and not trying to go up and hit the home run," Kelly said. "Just lining balls to the outfield."
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!
We’d love to have you!