Game Log: June 23, 2026 vs Mariners

The Pirates dropped game one to the Mariners 3-2 at PNC to fall to 39-40, and it was another one of those games that was right there to be won. They jumped out front early and could not add to it, and a couple of swings from Seattle in the middle innings were enough to win.

The early lead came from an Endy Rodríguez double followed by a Marcell Ozuna single in the second to bring Endy home. Then in the third, Brandon Lowe doubled and Nick Gonzales brought him in with a single that J.P. Crawford booted, which moved Bryan Reynolds up to third. It was 2-0 through three.

Mitch Keller went six and gave up three runs, all of them on the long ball. Cal Raleigh got him for a solo shot in the fourth to make it 2-1. Then in the seventh, Luke Raley doubled and Cole Young followed with a two-run homer to put Seattle ahead 3-2. Keller was solid for most of the night, and the two homers were the difference in a one-run game.

The bullpen held up. Mason Montgomery came on in the seventh with a runner on and got out of it, then Mattson and Santana followed with clean innings of their own. Three scoreless out of the pen and the Pirates still ended up with the loss. Let’s hope this version of the bullpen sticks in the coming games.

The bats let them down in this one. They put up nine hits and only two runs, went two-for-eight with runners in scoring position, and left nine men on. George Kirby kept them at arm’s length for six, and the Seattle pen slammed the door shut, culminating with with Andrés Muñoz striking out the side in the ninth for his 14th save. Jake Mangum had another night to forget on the bases and at the plate. He was caught stealing in the second by Kirby and was only safe thanks to an error, and was first pitch swinging in the eighth with runners at first and second base.

The Pirates are 12-10 in one run games this year. Three of their last four games have been one run losses. The pen showing up is a good sign, and we will need more nights like that from them to pick up some wins in the coming days. On to the next one.