Carmen Mlodzinski and rain delay help Pirates snap 4-game skid and get back to .500

Colin Beazley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Aug 1, 2026

Published in Baseball

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CINCINNATI — The Pirates have ended their losing streak. It took a lot of rain and a long reliever to do so.

In a game largely played in a rainstorm, the Pirates capitalized on wet conditions for a 4-1 victory against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night at Great American Ball Park. Cincinnati starter Andrew Abbott walked four batters in a three-run, rain-soaked third inning, then Carmen Mlodzinski pitched three scoreless innings of relief after a 1-hour, 46-minute delay.

The win ended a four-game losing streak, returning the Pirates to .500. They also broke a five-game skid against left-handed starting pitchers.

They didn’t need to do much against Abbott. It was dry for most of Saturday in Cincinnati, but the skies opened right before first pitch and continued, in varying frequency, for the first five innings. Abbott’s command devolved as his mound did beneath him, and he loaded the bases on two walks and a Jake Mangum single to start the third before issuing bases-loaded walks to Bryan Reynolds and Esmerlyn Valdez. Nick Gonzales had a run-scoring fielder’s choice to add on.

While Abbott struggled, Pirates right-hander Braxton Ashcraft seemed largely unaffected. He retired the first eight batters he faced and didn’t allow a hit until the fourth. After a few difficult outings in July, he threw a very encouraging five innings before the rain cut short his day.

Ashcraft’s lone blemish was a Jose Trevino, opposite-field homer to start the fifth. The Pirates got a run back in the top of the sixth when Marcell Ozuna doubled and scored on a Henry Davis single.

Mlodzinski allowed one hit and one walk in three innings, striking out four. Gregory Soto pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.

It was over when …

Mlodzinski kept the game settled. There were few fans left at Great American Ball Park after the delay, but Mlodzinski didn’t give the remainders anything to be excited about.

On the mound

Ashcraft allowed one earned run on two hits and a walk in five innings. He struck out five, needing just 69 pitches.

After posting a 7.78 ERA in four July starts, he’ll hope he can build off of what he showed Saturday. He also was the stopper the Pirates needed him to be.

There’s been plenty of debate over Mlodzinski’s role, and rightfully so. But on Saturday, they were glad to have Mlodzinski available for three innings.

At the plate

The Pirates managed just six hits. Abbott walked five in five innings.

Nick Gonzales saw his 15-game hitting streak come to an end, going 0 for 4.

Bucs bites

— Prior to the game, the Pirates recalled Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned right-hander Antwone Kelly. Kelly pitched three scoreless innings for the Pirates on Friday.

Mattson was eligible to be recalled, despite being optioned on Wednesday, because Ryan O’Hearn was placed on the injured list. A player can be recalled early for an injury, regardless of if it’s a pitcher or hitter.

— Evan Sisk (left elbow inflammation) allowed one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning at Triple-A Indianapolis. He has now made two rehab appearances, so his next outing may be for Pittsburgh.

Up next

The Pirates and Reds conclude their four-game series, with the Pirates playing for a split, on Sunday at 1:40 p.m. Right-hander Mitch Keller (6-7, 4.83 ERA) is looking to continue his second half momentum against Reds ace Chase Burns (12-1, 2.40).