Kelly Takes No Chances with Jared Jones in Bucs Loss

A tough night at PNC Park Wednesday — and one that will have Pirates fans wondering what might have been.

Jared Jones was absolutely electric through six innings against Atlanta — no hits, no runs, eight strikeouts on just seventy-seven pitches. A perfect game through six. But with Jones still working his way back from surgery, the Pirates weren’t taking any chances with their young right-hander and lifted him right on schedule.

The bullpen couldn’t hold it. Isaac Mattson surrendered two runs in the seventh, and Dennis Santana gave up a two-run homer in the eighth. Final score — Atlanta 3, Pittsburgh 0.

The Pirates managed just four hits on the night and went zero for one with runners in scoring position as Grant Holmes and Atlanta’s bullpen completely shut them down.

The series finale is Thursday afternoon — first pitch 12:35pm Eastern at PNC Park.