With a chance to clinch their weekend series against the Boston Red Sox, the Pittsburgh Pirates were instead shut out 4-0 on Saturday. The offense managed just six hits, none of which went for extra bases.
Esmerlyn Valdez and Jake Mangum each picked up a pair of singles in the losing effort. In total, Pirates hitters struck out 10 times compared to just one walk.
Jared Jones worked around some rough situations to allow just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings pitched.
Pitching for the second straight game, Luke Weaver gave up multiple runs in an outing for the first time since April 30th.
The Pirates can still go for the series win on Sunday, but they will do so in what looks to be a bullpen game. It was announced after Saturday’s game that Paul Skenes’ start would be pushed back to Wednesday.
Right-handed pitcher Lake Bachar is now scheduled to be the starter. First pitch for Sunday’s game is scheduled for 1:35 pm ET.
Skenes pitched just five innings in his last start, throwing only 65 pitches before getting pulled from the game. His velocity was notably down again, and the Pirates will be cautious, pushing Skenes’ next start back until Wednesday, which will be a day game.
Colin Beazley@colin_beazley
Paul Skenes said it was Don Kelly’s decision to push his start back to Wednesday. He takes pride in starting on turn, but understands it. “Like I said after the last start, I'll have his back on whatever that is. I don't necessarily disagree with the decision either.”
2:30 AM · Aug 16, 2026 · 2.06K Views
2 Replies · 1 Repost · 25 Likes
Reinold Navarro retired the first 14 batters he faced on Saturday, finishing with five shutout innings, while striking out six. He allowed just one walk over five innings, picking up his fifth win of the season and lowering his ERA to 2.60.
The walks have been an issue; he has 60 in 69.1 innings pitched, but he has also struck out a system-leading 119 batters in that span.
Altoona Curve sent RHP Jarod Bayless on a rehab assignment to Bradenton Marauders
DSL Pirates Gold placed OF Fernando Triana on the 7-day injured list
Greensboro Grasshoppers released LHP Hunter Furtado
Top Exit Velocity
Bryan Reynolds - PIT - 107.5 mph - Groundout
Luke Scherrer - BRD - 105.4 mph - Single
Brandon Lowe - PIT - 103.7 mph - Single
Johnathan Rodriguez - IND - 103.4 mph - Groundout
Esmerlyn Valdez - PIT - 103 mph - Single
Top Pitch Velocity
Wilber Dotel - PIT - 100 mph
Wilber Dotel - PIT - 99.9 mph
Wilber Dotel - PIT - 99.9 mph
Wilber Dotel - PIT - 99.8 mph
Wilber Dotel - PIT - 99.7 mph
Most Whiffs
Jared Jones - PIT - 17
Jacob Bimbi - GBO - 14
Reinold Navarro - BRD - 10
Dominic Pipkin - ALT - 6
Luke Weaver - PIT - 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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Top Hitter - Joshua Palacios: 2-3, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 2B, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Beau Burrows: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 4 K
Top Hitter - Murf Gray: 4-5, 4 R, RBI
Top Pitcher - Dominic Pipkin: 4 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 4 K
Top Hitter - Jhonny Severino: 1-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, HR
Top Pitcher - Jacob Bimbi: 5 IP, H, 7 K
Top Hitter - Cristian Jauregui: 3-4, R, 3 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Reinold Navarro: 5 IP, H, 6 K
Top Hitter - Jhoendris Santos: 2-4, 2 R, 2 SB
Top Pitcher - Angel Herrera: 5 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Top Hitter - Dionis Leyba: 1-3, 2 R, 3 RBI
Top Pitcher - John Reynoso: 3 IP, H, BB, 3 K
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