The fifth inning changed everything. Pittsburgh trailed 2-1 entering the frame but erupted for four runs to seize control, defeating Tampa Bay 6-3 at PNC Park on Saturday afternoon.
Mitch Keller anchored the victory with seven innings of two-run ball, allowing five hits while striking out five without issuing a walk. The right-hander improved to 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA, working efficiently through 89 pitches to earn his second win of the season.
The decisive fifth began when Gonzales singled to right, scoring Bart to tie the game 2-2. Reynolds followed with the pivotal blow, singling to left to score Cook and Gonzales, giving Pittsburgh a 4-2 lead it would not relinquish. The Pirates added insurance runs on solo homers by Spencer Horwitz in the sixth and Nick Yorke in the eighth.
Shane McClanahan struggled for Tampa Bay, lasting just 4.1 innings while surrendering eight hits and four earned runs. The left-hander struck out five but took the loss to fall to 1-2 with a 5.00 ERA. Hunter Feduccia had given the Rays a 2-1 lead in the fifth with a two-run single, but it proved insufficient.
Pittsburgh improved to 12-9 after snapping a one-game losing streak. Tampa Bay fell to 12-8 despite entering with a one-game winning streak. Reynolds finished with three RBIs and sits one away from 500 career RBIs.