The Pittsburgh Pirates currently hold a 35-33 record. They sit in third place in the NL Central after a resilient win at PNC Park. The club snapped a four-game losing streak. This happened within the last 24 hours. They rallied late to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-8.
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MLB Game Recap
Trailing 6-1 in the sixth inning, Pittsburgh mounted a comeback by scoring eight runs over the final three frames. Rookie Tyler Callihan hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the eighth. Spencer Horwitz then hit a two-run insurance shot. Gregory Soto allowed a two-run homer to Shohei Ohtani in the ninth. He recovered to retire the final two batters. He secured his ninth save.
Standout Performer
Tyler Callihan: 2-for-2, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR, 2 BB. Callihan provided the offensive spark of the season. He hit a 427-foot solo shot off Ohtani for his first career home run. He then delivered the decisive three-run blast in the eighth inning.
Key News & Notes
The Pittsburgh Pirates suffered a major blow. Shortstop Oneil Cruz was placed on the 10-day IL with hand fractures. He is expected to miss at least a month. Catching depth is also a concern. Endy Rodríguez exited Wednesday’s game with left hip discomfort. Henry Davis was placed on the paternity list. In corresponding moves, the Pirates recalled catcher Rafael Flores Jr. and outfielder Billy Cook from Triple-A. Additionally, catcher Joey Bart began his rehab assignment in Bradenton. The club traded pitcher Carson Fulmer to Seattle for cash.
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Farm Report
- Triple-A Indianapolis Indians: Won 11-1 vs Columbus; Nick Cimillo: 1-for-2, R, 4 RBI, HR (grand slam), 2 BB. Indianapolis dominated with an 11-run explosion that featured three home runs and five strong innings from José Urquidy.
- Double-A Altoona Curve: Won 10-3 vs Chesapeake; Javier Rivas: 2-for-5, R, 2 RBI, 3B, 2B. Altoona secured the victory with a late five-run surge. They scored in the bottom of the eighth inning to break the game open.
- High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers: Won 4-3 vs Wilmington; Yordany De Los Santos: 1-for-4, R, RBI, 2B, SB. Two solo home runs in the seventh inning provided the winning margin for the Grasshoppers in a tight contest.
- Single-A Bradenton Marauders: Suspended (Rain) leading 1-0 vs Tampa; Edgleen Perez: 1-for-1, 1 RBI, 1 H. Heavy rain halted play in the fourth inning during the first game of Joey Bart’s rehab assignment.
- FCL Pirates: No Game Scheduled
Deep Dive: The Emergence of Tyler Callihan
Callihan’s breakthrough performance on Wednesday night is a major milestone. It marks a significant achievement for a player whose professional career has been defined by perseverance. The 25-year-old utility man was acquired from Cincinnati in March 2026 for pitcher Kyle Nicolas. He arrived in Pittsburgh with a reputation for elite strike-zone discipline and untapped raw power. His 427-foot solo home run off Shohei Ohtani in the fourth inning registered a 107.3 mph exit velocity, one of the highest recorded by a Pirate this season. Callihan’s second home run of the night was crucial. It was a go-ahead three-run blast in the eighth. This home run punctuated a comeback. This victory saw the Pittsburgh Pirates win for just the third time this season when trailing after seven innings.
Before joining the Pittsburgh Pirates, Callihan’s development faced a major hurdle. He fractured his left forearm in 2025, which required multiple surgeries. This injury cost him the majority of that season. Analysts previously noted his high floor. This was due to an advanced eye at the plate. However, concerns about his power persisted until this breakout. Now Callihan is healthy. His versatility at third base and in the outfield makes him a vital roster piece. This is especially true following the injury to Oneil Cruz. Manager Don Kelly decided to use Callihan’s left-handed bat against the Dodgers. This decision paid massive dividends. The rookie reached base four times. He punished high-leverage pitches from both a perennial MVP and elite relievers.
Looking Ahead
Mitch Keller (5-3, 4.81 ERA) takes the mound Thursday evening for the series rubber match at PNC Park against Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski.
A rookie outslugging Shohei Ohtani can provide a much-needed momentum shift. This performance is essential for the team to remain relevant in June. What do you think?
