Pirates Manager Don Kelly Responds to Second Straight Shutout Loss to Mariners
The Pittsburgh Pirates were blanked for the second game in a row by the Seattle Mariners on July 5, falling 1-0 in a matchup defined by strong pitching and a lack of offensive production. After the loss, Pirates manager Don Kelly addressed the team’s ongoing struggles at the plate and emphasized the need for change.
For the second straight game, the Pirates’ biggest challenge was generating any offense. They managed just two hits—their lowest total of the season—and never truly threatened Mariners ace Luis Castillo or the bullpen.
“We’ve got to get the offense going,” Kelly said. “You’re not going to win with two hits. Castillo was sharp, but we’ve handled good pitching before. We have to find ways to adjust.”
This latest shutout follows a 6-0 loss in the series opener on July 4. Kelly admitted this stretch is a pivotal moment for the team and that their offense needs to step up.
“We’ve got hitters capable of more,” he added. “Right now, it’s just not clicking. We need someone to provide a spark, to come through in big situations.”
Kelly also acknowledged a broader trend in today’s game—dominant pitching outpacing offense—and noted it’s a challenge teams across the league are facing.
“Pitching’s ahead of hitting right now,” Kelly observed. “Every lineup is dealing with elite arms. But we still have to adapt and find ways to score.”
Despite strong outings on the mound, including a solid start from Mike Burrows (five scoreless innings, six strikeouts), Pittsburgh couldn’t take advantage. Burrows skillfully worked around trouble, including multiple walks and extra-base hits, to keep the game tight through five innings.
Reliever Caleb Ferguson gave up the game’s only run in the sixth, allowing a double to Jorge Polanco and another to Ben Williamson that brought him home. Isaac Mattson and Dennis Santana held the Mariners scoreless the rest of the way, but the Pirates’ bats never responded.
This marks the Pirates’ 12th shutout loss of the season—more than any other team in the majors—and their first set of back-to-back shutouts since June 2023. Pittsburgh now sits at 38-52 overall and just 12-31 on the road, having lost four consecutive road series.
Kelly stressed the importance of regrouping quickly as the Pirates prepare for the series finale against Seattle.
“The guys in that clubhouse know what’s at stake,” he said. “It comes down to execution. We’ll work through it.”
The Pirates aim to avoid a series sweep when they face the Mariners again on July 6 at 4:10 p.m. EST.
No Comment! Be the first one.