Bubba Chandler didn't have much time to get settled in what eventually turned out to be a 10-6 Pirates win over the Astros tonight here at Daikin Park.
Two pitches in and he was already behind by two runs:
HOME RUN: A first-pitch fastball is left over the plate and Yordan Alvarez punishes Bubba Chandler with a two-run shot to left. His 21st of the season. Astros, 2-0 -- From José Negron in Houstonpic.twitter.com/J8UMIpBnMa
— DK Pittsburgh Sports (@DKPghSports) June 3, 2026
That result, a two-run home run by American League Most Valuable Player contender YordanAlvarez, wasn't at all ideal for a pitcher in Chandler who has struggled to find his way over the first few months of the season.
And what followed certainly wasn't perfect. Deep counts, five of the 3-2 variety, caused Chandler's pitch count to skyrocket up to 91 after five innings and he found himself in danger with multiple runners in scoring position throughout the duration of his start. Yet it was Chandler who came away with the victory on this particular night, as he allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
"I had another rough inning in between and some stuff I couldn't control that got away from me, but I think, with situational stuff, I did a good job working around stuff," Chandler said.
That's not the line of a former top pitching prospect. There's obviously more to be desired from Chandler, who still seems to be struggling with command. But DonKelly isn't about to ignore the manner in which Chandler responded after giving up those two early runs. It wasn't pretty, but he did what he had to do to cover five innings and put his team in a position to win a fourth straight game.
"That could have been completely different if Bubba gets out of his rhythm and starts to press in that moment," Kelly said of his response to the Alvarez homer. "He didn't. He stayed with it, continued to attack the strike zone and gave us a chance to win."
THE ASYLUM
Chandler responds to early shot
Bubba Chandler didn't have much time to get settled in what eventually turned out to be a 10-6 Pirates win over the Astros tonight here at Daikin Park.
Two pitches in and he was already behind by two runs:
That result, a two-run home run by American League Most Valuable Player contender Yordan Alvarez, wasn't at all ideal for a pitcher in Chandler who has struggled to find his way over the first few months of the season.
And what followed certainly wasn't perfect. Deep counts, five of the 3-2 variety, caused Chandler's pitch count to skyrocket up to 91 after five innings and he found himself in danger with multiple runners in scoring position throughout the duration of his start. Yet it was Chandler who came away with the victory on this particular night, as he allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
"I had another rough inning in between and some stuff I couldn't control that got away from me, but I think, with situational stuff, I did a good job working around stuff," Chandler said.
That's not the line of a former top pitching prospect. There's obviously more to be desired from Chandler, who still seems to be struggling with command. But Don Kelly isn't about to ignore the manner in which Chandler responded after giving up those two early runs. It wasn't pretty, but he did what he had to do to cover five innings and put his team in a position to win a fourth straight game.
"That could have been completely different if Bubba gets out of his rhythm and starts to press in that moment," Kelly said of his response to the Alvarez homer. "He didn't. He stayed with it, continued to attack the strike zone and gave us a chance to win."
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