The Pittsburgh Pirates finally broke out of a four‑game skid, routing the New York Mets 9‑0 at PNC Park on a night that felt more like a showcase for the club’s emerging talent.
Right‑hander Bubba Chandler delivered one of his finest outings in the majors, tossing six shutout innings, scattering three hits and striking out eight while keeping the Mets off the scoreboard.
A burst of offense
The Pirates’ bats erupted early, with Nick Gonzales driving in Jake Mangum on a groundout to load the bases and set up a two‑run double from Ronny Simon that put Pittsburgh up 4‑0 in the third inning.
Brandon Lowe added a solo homer off catcher Luis Torrens, his 25th of the season, while a wild pitch later in the fourth handed Henry Davis a run without a swing, extending the lead.
Pittsburgh out‑hit New York 12‑3 and left the visitors without a single runner in scoring position, underscoring the effectiveness of Chandler’s command and the defense behind him.
Lineup tweaks and late‑game moments
Endy Rodríguez was a late scratch from the starting lineup due to left hip discomfort, prompting the team to insert Davis behind the plate; the move paid dividends when Esmerlyn Valdez snapped an 0‑for‑19 slump with a timely base hit in the eighth.
The victory not only halted the losing streak but also lifted Chandler to 2‑0 with a 3.23 ERA over his last six starts, giving the Pirates a reliable arm heading into the next stretch of games.