Pirates Shut Down by Rays; Fall to 1-4 on the Season

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ offense was stifled by Tampa Bay Rays starter Drew Rasmussen and a trio of relievers, resulting in a 6-1 loss at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Monday night.

The loss was the Pirates’ third in a row, dropping their season record to 1-4.

How We Got There

Carmen Mlodzinski (0-1) pitched well through the first three innings of the game for the Pirates but the wheels fell off in the fifth. The Rays (3-1) scored four runs in the inning and six of the first seven batters reached safely.

Christopher Morel opened the scoring with an RBI single and was followed by an RBI double from Kameron Misner. Following the Misner double, Jake Mangum brought home two with a base hit to right.

José Caballero tacked on another run for the Rays with a run-scoring double in the sixth off of lefty reliever Tim Mayza.

Rays starter Drew Rasmussen (1-0) didn’t need much offensive support. The right-hander stifled the Pirates, limiting them to a pair of hits — one of which was a bunt single — and no runs in 5.0 innings. He struck out four and didn’t walk any.

The Pirates didn’t find the scoreboard until the eighth inning, when Adam Frazier followed Endy Rodríguez’s double with a base hit. It was Rodríguez’s first hit of the season and Frazier’s third RBI.

The Rays answered back in the bottom of the eighth on Yandy Díaz’s sacrifice fly with runners on the corners and one out against Joey Wentz.

Key Moment

The Rays broke out the hit parade in the fourth inning. The lead they built proved insurmountable for a dormant Pirates’ offense.

Star of the Game

In his second-career games, Jake Mangum went 4 for 4 with a double, two RBIs, a run??? and a stolen base. He notched his first big-league hit, RBI, run and steal.

Stat to Know

Oneil Cruz stole another base, giving him five on the young season. He’s been successful in his last 25 stolen base attempts and was last caught on 4/22/24 against the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Notable Pirates’ Performances

• Carmen Mlodzinski: 3.2 innings, seven hits, four runs, two walks, four strikeouts, 66 pitches/43 strikes
• Ryan Borucki: 1.2 innings, no hits, no runs, one walk, three strikeouts, 19 pitches/13 strikes
• Endy Rodríguez: 1 for 3, one double, one run
• Adam Frazier: 1 for 3, one run

Noteworthy

• The Pirates acquired OF Alexander Canario from the New York Mets for cash considerations. To make room for him on the roster, RHP Jared Jones (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
• OF Joshua Palacios, who cleared waivers over the weekend, elected free agency.

Up Next

The Pirates and Rays will continue their three-game series on Tuesday night. Pittsburgh has yet to announce a starting pitcher. Former Pirates prospect Shane Baz will get the start for Tampa. First pitch: 7:05 ET.