Pirates drop third straight, Mlodzinski struggles, Curtis returns from IL

The Pittsburgh Pirates have dropped their third straight after losing to the Miami Marlins on Wednesday and now find themselves six games under .500.

After the Pirates got on the board first, the Marlins scored five unanswered runs to take a commanding 5-1 lead. Esmerlyn Valdez nearly hit a two-run home run, but Jakob Marsee leaped and brought it back over the fence. Instead, it turned into a sacrifice fly that plated the second run of the game for the Pirates.

They wouldn’t score again.

Carmen Mlodzinski made his second start in place of the injured Mitch Keller, and it was an even shorter outing this time around. He allowed four runs on five hits and three walks over 2.1 innings pitched.

Thursday, the two teams will play for the final time this season, with Braxton Ashcraft getting the start for the Pirates. They’ll need a win to avoid a sweep.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 pm ET.

Oneil Cruz continued his rehab assignment in Altoona this week, batting second as the designated hitter. He finished the night going 2-for-5 with a strikeout. He also reached base on an error and stole a base.

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Right-handed pitcher Khristian Curtis was activated off the 7-day injured list on Wednesday, immediately stepping in and appearing out of the bullpen.

He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk over two innings pitched.

• RHP Andrew Moore assigned to Altoona Curve from Indianapolis Indians

• Indianapolis Indians activated RHP Khristian Curtis from the 7-day injured list

Top Exit Velocity

1. Johnathan Rodriguez - IND - 109.9 mph - Groundout

2. Brent Iredale - BRD - 108 mph - Home Run

3. Billy Cook - IND - 107.5 mph - Home Run

4. Nick Yorke - IND - 106.8 mph - Home Run

5. Ronny Simon - PIT - 106.1 mph - Single

Top Pitch Velocity

1. Camilo Doval - PIT - 100.6 mph

2. Gavin Adams - BRD - 100.2 mph

3. Camilo Doval - PIT - 99.8 mph

4. Gavin Adams - BRD - 99.8 mph

5. Camilo Doval - PIT - 99.7 mph

Most Whiffs

1. Hung-Leng Chang - GBO - 13

2. Antwone Kelly - IND - 11

3. Matt Ager - ALT - 9

4. Khristian Curtis - IND - 6

5. Gavin Adams - BRD - 6

6. Dariel Francia - BRD - 6

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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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Gameday

Top Hitter - Nick Yorke: 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 HR

Top Pitcher - Antwone Kelly: 3 IP, H, 4 BB, 6 K

Gameday

Top Hitter - Javier Rivas: 1-3, R, RBI, BB, HR

Top Pitcher - Matt Ager: 7 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, BB, 5 K

Gameday

Top Hitter - Jhonny Severino: 1-3, R, RBI, BB

Top Pitcher - Yulian Quintana: IP, BB, 2 K

Gameday

Top Hitter - Brent Iredale: 1-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, HR

Top Pitcher - Gavin Adams: 1.2 IP, H, 4 BB, 3 K

Gameday

Top Hitter - Frankeli Mesta: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR, SB

Top Pitcher - Hector Perez: 2.1 IP, 5 K