Gameday 128: Braxton Ashcraft on the mound as the Pirates look to rebound from Monday's loss

Although they mounted a late-game comeback, the Pittsburgh Pirates were still defeated on Monday against the Detroit Tigers, 8-5. It was the third start for Carmen Mlodzinski since sliding into the rotation to replace Mitch Keller, and it was another clunker.

In three innings, he allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk over three innings pitched. The bullpen had to carry a heavy workload once again, picking up the final six innings to close out the game.

The Pirates scored one in the fifth, and then four in the sixth to make it a bit of a fight. They even put runners on later in the game but couldn't score.

Braxton Ashcraft will make his first start since his complete game against the Miami Marlins. He’ll be looking for his 13th win of the season. Keider Montero will get the start for Detroit.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 pm ET.

1B - Spencer Horwitz
2B - Brandon Lowe
DH - Bryan Reynolds
RF - Esmerlyn Valdez
CF - Oneil Cruz
LF - Jake Mangum
C - Rafael Flores Jr.
SS - Jacob Gonzalez
3B - Jared Triolo

2B - Gleyber Torres
3B - Kevin McGonigle
DH - Colt Keith
C - Eduardo Valencia
RF - Zach McKinstry
1B - Spencer Torkelson
LF - Brett Callahan
CF - Max Clark
SS - Javier Baez

PIT - Braxton Ashcraft (12-5, 3.82 ERA, 141.1 IP, 155 K)

DET - Keider Montero (9-7, 3.22 ERA, 128.2 IP, 86 K)

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Bucs on Deck: Pittsburgh Pirates 2026 Midseason Update

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Jun 25

The Pittsburgh Pirates have seen a major shift at the top of their system, having their two best prospects graduate to the majors. That would usually leave most organizations searching for talent, but the Pirates still have one of the top prospects in the game, Seth Hernandez, who tops the Bucs on Deck 2026 midseason update.

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