Mike Yastrzemski’s grand slam slams door on Pirates in series finale against Braves
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates fell back to .500 and failed to claim a series against a division-leading Atlanta Braves team.
Pittsburgh (47-47) was down 6-5 in the ninth, but Mike Yastrzemski hit a game-sealing grand slam — the third of his career — in the top half off Pirates reliever Dennis Santana. Matt Olson hit a first-inning home run while tying the franchise record for consecutive games played.
Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds and Esmerlyn Valdez hit back-to-back homers in the third to cut the Braves’ lead to 3-2. Jake Mangum had four hits and three RBIs, including a two-run homer in the fourth that brought the Pirates to 6-4 and an RBI double in the sixth that made it a one-run game.
Mitch Keller (6-7) gave up three runs in three innings to fall to 1-5 with a 7.94 ERA in nine career starts against the Braves. Atlanta’s Bryce Elder allowed four runs in four innings.
Olson’s homer was a solo shot and his 25th season, opening the scoring. The first baseman played in his 740th straight game, going back to the start of the 2022 season, and tied the mark set by Dale Murphy from 1982-86.
Atlanta’s Jim Jarvis hit his first career home run, connecting for a two-run blast off Cam Sanders in a three-run fourth inning that extended the lead to 6-2. The rookie shortstop had three hits.
Dylan Dodd (2-0) pitched a perfect fifth inning for the win.
The game was delayed by rain for 35 minutes at the end of the fifth inning.
Pirates: RHP Braxton Ashcraft (9-3, 3.24) will pitch against visiting Milwaukee and rookie RHP Brandon Sproat (3-4, 5.13) on Friday night to open a three-game series.
