The Pittsburgh Pirates currently hold a 38-38 record and sit 8.5 games behind first place in the NL Central. Over the last 24 hours, the club suffered a heartbreaking loss. The final score was 4-3 against the Colorado Rockies. This happened after a wild eighth-inning lead change at Coors Field.
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MLB Game Recap
Pittsburgh fell 4-3 to the Rockies in a contest defined by late-inning volatility. Starter Bubba Chandler provided a strong foundation. He allowed only two runs on six hits over six innings. However, the bullpen struggled. Mason Montgomery surrendered the deciding runs in the eighth. The Pirates surged to a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth. Then, Colorado’s Braxton Fulford delivered a pinch-hit two-run double. This hit reclaimed the lead. A Pittsburgh bases-loaded rally in the ninth ended in a game-ending double play.
Standout Performer
Jared Triolo finished 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. Triolo sparked the Pirates’ brief comeback in the eighth inning. He hit a run-scoring double to chase Rockies starter Kyle Freeland. Then, he later scored the tying run. He ultimately grounded into the bases-loaded double play that ended the game in the ninth. However, his multi-hit performance was central to the Pirates’ offense. His aggressiveness on the basepaths also contributed significantly.
Key News & Notes
The Pirates are grappling with major health setbacks. Oneil Cruz has been diagnosed with non-displaced fractures in his left hand. He is expected to remain out until mid-July. Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds was a late scratch on Friday due to left groin discomfort. He did contribute a pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth inning. He is considered day to day. Additionally, the club optioned Hunter Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis on June 19. They acquired him just one day earlier from the Braves in a trade for catcher Joey Bart.
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Farm Report
- Triple-A Indianapolis: T. Johnson went 4-for-6 with two doubles. The game ended in an 11-7 loss to the Iowa Cubs. The Indians’ pitching staff struggled. They surrendered a decisive fourth-inning grand slam.
- Double-A Altoona: Jack Brannigan finished 2-for-4. He hit a home run and had 3 RBIs. The team achieved a 3-2 victory over the Akron RubberDucks. Brannigan’s solo blast in the ninth inning provided the margin of victory.
- High-A Greensboro: Dylan Palmer had an impressive game, finishing 4-for-5 with 2 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. The Grasshoppers defeated the Winston-Salem Dash 7-3. Palmer led an efficient 12-hit offensive attack.
- Single-A Bradenton: Eddie Rynders went 2-for-4 with his sixth home run of the season. The team had a 6-4 loss to the Clearwater Threshers. Despite homers from Rynders and King Jr., the Marauders could not hold an early lead.
- FCL Pirates: Loreto went 2-for-2. He hit a double and an RBI. He also achieved a stolen base in a 6-5 loss to the FCL Orioles. The Pirates recorded eight stolen bases as a team. However, they fell short in the eighth inning.
Deep Dive: Braxton Ashcraft’s Journey to the Roster
Braxton Ashcraft has become a reliable presence in the Pirates’ rotation. He achieved this after a professional career marked by severe physical setbacks. A 2018 second-round pick, Ashcraft’s path to the majors was challenging. He had surgery on his left shoulder. He also suffered a torn meniscus. The 2021 Tommy John surgery forced him to miss the entire 2022 season. Despite these obstacles, he returned in 2023 with a combined 2.39 ERA across three minor league levels. This performance prompted the Pirates to protect him on the 40-man roster. They did so to shield him from the Rule 5 draft.
Since making his MLB debut in May 2025, Ashcraft has demonstrated significant growth and consistency. Through mid-June 2026, he has recorded a 9-7 record with a 3.03 ERA and 161 strikeouts over 161 innings of work. His transition from a dominant high school athlete to a professional starter is impressive. He once caught seven touchdown passes in a single football game, showcasing his elite physical tools. His journey highlights his resilience. Ashcraft’s ability to maintain a sub-3.00 ERA in the minors is remarkable. He achieved this following major reconstructive elbow surgery. This has translated effectively to the Major Leagues. Now, he serves as a central pillar in a Pittsburgh rotation that frequently faces depth challenges due to injuries.
Looking Ahead
The Pirates turn to ace Paul Skenes (6-6, 2.85 ERA) for Saturday’s middle game in Denver. He will face the Colorado Rockies. Right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano is pitching against him. Pittsburgh seeks to snap its one-game skid. They aim to pull back above .500.
Maintaining a .500 record is difficult when the core lineup continues to lose stars to the training room. What do you think?
