Pittsburgh Pirates News & Notes 05/03/2026

The Pittsburgh Pirates currently sit at 18-16 following a historic offensive display at PNC Park. The club won the series against the division-leading Cincinnati Reds. They achieved this with a dominant 17-7 blowout. All your Pittsburgh Pirates News & Notes, all in one place, from an exciting Saturday filled with action!

Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster

MLB Game Recap

The Pirates dismantled Cincinnati with 19 hits and 11 walks. Their performance was highlighted by a record-tying stretch of seven consecutive walks in the second inning. Starter Carmen Mlodzinski (2-2) earned the win, striking out a career-high 10 batters over 5.2 innings while allowing five earned runs on eight hits and two walks (101 pitches, 67 strikes). The bullpen provided relief from Yohan Ramírez and Gregory Soto. However, Chris Devenski faced ejection in the seventh inning. The umpires deemed a brush-back pitch intentional. By the fourth inning, every Pirates starter had recorded at least one RBI for the first time since 1975.

Standout Performer

Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin led the hit parade. He went 4-for-5 with a double, a triple, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Griffin finished just a home run shy of the cycle and raised his average to .260 while displaying elite discipline with an additional walk. He performed aggressively with multiple hits in the first and fourth innings. This ensured Cincinnati’s starter was chased early. It kept the offense in high gear.

Key News & Notes

Before Saturday’s contest, the Pirates activated infielder Jared Triolo. He returned from the 15-day injured list after recovering from a right knee patellar tendon injury. To accommodate his return, Nick Yorke was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis after 23 games. Manager Don Kelly emphasized the team’s patience. He noted that the historic walk total was a result of hitters “hunting the middle of the plate.” They were also trusting the lineup.

Get Your Inside The Diamonds Merchandise Here

Farm Report

Triple-A: Indianapolis Indians fell 13-4 to Memphis; Tyler Callihan went 2-for-5 with his third home run of the season.
Double-A: Altoona Curve lost 7-2 to Richmond. Shawn Ross reached base three times. He finished 1-for-2 with a double and two walks.

High-A: Greensboro Grasshoppers defeated Winston-Salem 9-7; Easton Carmichael went 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, and three RBIs.
Low-A: Bradenton Marauders crushed Lakeland 13-4; Murf Gray finished a perfect 4-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs.
FCL: FCL Pirates lost 6-5 to the Orioles; Jonathan Rivero went 1-for-2 with a double and two walks.

Looking Ahead

The Pirates seek a series sweep this afternoon at 1:35 PM ET at PNC Park. Braxton Ashcraft (1-2, 3.71 ERA) takes the mound against Cincinnati’s Chase Burns (3-1, 2.65 ERA).

The offense is clicking, and historical records are falling as the Bucs aim for a sweep. What do you think?