Jared Jones, Carmen Mlodzinski pitch Pirates to series-clinching win over Astros
HOUSTON - There would be no late collapse this time, not even after Carmen Mlodzinski allowed a home run on the second pitch he threw out of the bullpen.
Jared Jones was solid in his second start since returning from the 60-day injured list, throwing five shutout innings and allowing four hits while striking out four as the Pirates beat the Astros, 5-1, Thursday night at Daikin Park to leave Space City with a series victory.
Jones (1-0, 4.82 ERA) earned the win and Astros righty Kai-Wei Teng (3-4, 3.06) was charged with the loss.
The Pirates got on the board in the first inning when Ryan O'Hearn slapped an RBI single to center field. Jones underwent a few lengthy stoppages - including an injury check from manager Don Kelly and assistant athletic trainer Tyler Brooks, as well as an extensive balk review in the second inning - but was largely commanding the strike zone and showcasing his electric arsenal.
They broke open the game in the sixth when Bryan Reynolds knocked an RBI single and O'Hearn clubbed a two-run homer. The Pirates added another run off a fielding error and led, 5-0, heading into the bottom of the frame.
Mlodzinski - in his first appearance since being placed on the restricted list - surrendered a leadoff home run to Isaac Paredes but mostly quieted the Astros from there, throwing four innings of one-run ball with three strikeouts.
He didn't allow another eighth-inning four-run lead to slip and stayed in the game to slam the door in the ninth.
It was over when …
The Pirates unleashed a four-run flurry in the sixth inning to take a 5-0 lead.
On the mound
That was more like the Jones the Pirates hoped they would see. The 24-year old righty limited the Astros to 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and threw at least five scoreless innings for the first time since June 4, 2024.
He got off to an inauspicious start after giving up an infield single and walking Yordan Alvarez on four pitches before Kelly and Brooks headed to the mound to check for injury. Still, Jones struck out the next three batters he faced and threw six 100-mph fastballs in the first inning alone, ultimately tossing 74 pitches.
Mlodzinski made his first relief appearance since May 14 and third this season. He allowed three more hits after the home run but shook off some of the rust as he carried the Pirates through the remainder of the game.
At the plate
The Pirates remain one of the hottest offenses in baseball. They homered for the 11th game in a row and combined for nine hits.
Lowe went 2 for 5 with two doubles, and O'Hearn had three RBIs for the first time since May 2. Oneil Cruz drew two walks for the second game in a row, as well as the third game in the last four. Jake Mangum laced a double and now has 10 hits in his last 21 at-bats.
Bucs bites
- Prior to the game, the Pirates traded minor league reliever Joe La Sorsa to the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations. A source informed the Post-Gazette the value would be $100,000. La Sorsa triggered his upward mobility clause, meaning he could be picked up by all 29 other teams. The 28-year old lefty had a 3.46 ERA through 22 appearances in Triple-A Indianapolis this season. He'll be active for the Red Sox on Friday night against the New York Yankees, according to Ari Alexander of 7News Boston.
- The Pirates placed Konnor Griffin on the 10-day injured list on May 31 due to right forearm strain, and he was cleared to do everything except throw. Griffin fielded grounders before the game Thursday but didn't throw, and Kelly provided the latest on the 20-year old shortstop.
"Still day to day," Kelly said. "Just assessing how he's doing, how he's bouncing back. Nothing formal yet."
- Lowe's .877 OPS is 20th in MLB and first among second basemen.
Up next
The Pirates enter a difficult six-game stretch that starts with three games against the Braves - whose 42-21 record tops MLB - in Atlanta. Mitch Keller (5-2, 4.35) will open the series on the mound at 7:15 p.m. Friday night, while former Pirate Martin Perez (3-3, 2.79) will start for the Braves.
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