Astros 8, Pirates 2: Another 16 strikeouts, another loss
The Pirates struck out a season-high 16 times and Mitch Keller gave up six runs and eight hits in an 8-2 loss to the Astros tonight at PNC Park that didn't begin until after a three-hour, 22-minute weather delay.
Houston's Framber Valdez struck out 11, thanks in large part to a 69% whiff rate with his trademark curveball. Andrew McCutchen struck out all four times up on the night, Bryan Reynolds and Nick Gonzales three times each.
"It was that curveball that he kept going to and the depth on it," Don Kelly said of Valdez. "He was up to 97, 98. Most of the time, he’s in that mid-90s, which is tough. When he’s running up there 97 with the sinker and then throwing that curveball, it makes it really hard to hit.”
The 16 strikeouts were the Pirates' most in a nine-inning game since having the same total Aug. 21, 2024, in a 1-0 loss to the Rangers in Arlington, Texas. Their season total of 556 is the sixth-highest in Major League Baseball. Their 26% whiff rate, representing swings and misses at all pitches, also is the sixth-highest in the majors.
• Lost four of past six games • Lost 24 of 36 dating to April 26 • 11-14 since Kelly became manager
► THE NUMBER
7: Leads Keller's given up after the Pirates gave him a lead in the previous inning
► THE NEXT THREE
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
6:24 pm - 06.05.2025NORTH SHOREAstros 8, Pirates 2: Another 16 strikeouts, another loss
The Pirates struck out a season-high 16 times and Mitch Keller gave up six runs and eight hits in an 8-2 loss to the Astros tonight at PNC Park that didn't begin until after a three-hour, 22-minute weather delay.
Houston's Framber Valdez struck out 11, thanks in large part to a 69% whiff rate with his trademark curveball. Andrew McCutchen struck out all four times up on the night, Bryan Reynolds and Nick Gonzales three times each.
"It was that curveball that he kept going to and the depth on it," Don Kelly said of Valdez. "He was up to 97, 98. Most of the time, he’s in that mid-90s, which is tough. When he’s running up there 97 with the sinker and then throwing that curveball, it makes it really hard to hit.”
The 16 strikeouts were the Pirates' most in a nine-inning game since having the same total Aug. 21, 2024, in a 1-0 loss to the Rangers in Arlington, Texas. Their season total of 556 is the sixth-highest in Major League Baseball. Their 26% whiff rate, representing swings and misses at all pitches, also is the sixth-highest in the majors.
► THE COVERAGE
From our staff on the scene:
• Going Deep: Valdez wreaks havoc
• Extra Bases: Keller's sweeper pummeled
• News: Skenes to pitch Sunday
• News: Solak stays in system
• Minors: Griffin five hits in twinbill
► THE HIGHLIGHTS
► MORE POSTGAME VIDEO
• Manager: Kelly's press conference
• Players: Inside the clubhouse
► THE BOXSCORE
► MORE GAME DATA
• Hitter breakdowns
• Pitcher breakdowns
• Updated statistics
• Season schedule
► THE STANDINGS
► THE TRENDS
• Lost four of past six games
• Lost 24 of 36 dating to April 26
• 11-14 since Kelly became manager
► THE NUMBER
7: Leads Keller's given up after the Pirates gave him a lead in the previous inning
► THE NEXT THREE
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