Pirates Win Kelly’s First! Falter Continues Home Dominance

PITTSBURGH — In his first game as manager, Don Kelly led the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves to snap a seven-game losing streak at PNC Park on Friday night.

How We Got There

Alexander Canario, who replaced Tommy Pham in the lineup prior to first pitch, put the Pirates (13-26) ahead 1-0 with a solo home run off Braves starter Bryce Elder in the third inning. 

A cannonball for Canario 💥 pic.twitter.com/0OhXRv1Fbi

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 9, 2025

In the top of the sixth inning, Jared Triolo connected on his first home run of the season, a solo shot to left field to extend the Pirates’ lead to 2-0.

Big 🌳 pic.twitter.com/wsVUnPrb2Z

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 10, 2025

Later in the inning, Andrew McCutchen missed out on a home run to center field by a matter of inches, but settled for an RBI double.

The three runs of insurance proved more than enough for Bailey Falter, who threw 6.0-shutout innings on two hits.

The Braves (18-20) scored two runs off Dennis Santana in the ninth, but the Pirates’ right-hander recorded his fourth save.

Key Moment

The Braves had the speedy Luke Williams as the tying run at second base in the top of the ninth, but Santana retired Ozzie Albies to preserve the win.

Star of the Game

Bailey Falter (2-3) delivered exactly the type of performance the Pirates needed to put an end to their losing streak.

Notable Pirates Performances

• Bailey Falter: 6.0 innings, two hits, no runs, two walks, three strikeouts, 89 pitches/56 strikes
• Jared Triolo: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI, one run
• Alexander Canario: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI, one run
• Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 3, one double, one RBI

Stat to Know

Bailey Falter has pitched at least 6.0 innings while allowing one run or fewer, two hits or fewer and two walks or fewer in each of his last two starts. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is the second Pirates pitcher since at least 1893 to do this in consecutive starts within a single season, joining Sam Leever (June 28-July 2, 1900).

Noteworthy

• The Pirates fired Derek Shelton on Thursday and promoted Don Kelly to manager.
• Bailey Falter has a 0.45 ERA (1er/20.0ip) over his last three starts at PNC Park. In addition to his 6.0 shutout innings on Friday night, Falter allowed one run in 7.0 innings against the Padres last weekend and tossed 7.0-shutout innings against the Nationals on Apr. 16.
• The Pirates placed INF Enmanuel Valdez on the 10-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation and recalled INF/OF Ji Hwan Bae from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Up Next

The Pirates and Braves will continue their weekend series on Saturday afternoon. LHP Andrew Heaney (2-3, 3.18 ERA) will look to get back on track after two tough outings. He’ll be opposed by RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (2-2, 3.00 ERA). First pitch: 4:05 p.m. ET.