PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Pirates made roster moves and fell 5-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, dropping to 1-4 on their road trip and continuing a tough 2025 season.
Manager Don Kelly announced that rookie first baseman/outfielder Matt Gorski is being sent to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for first baseman Spencer Horwitz, who joins the Pirates for their series against the Phillies. Gorski excelled in Triple-A, slashing .300/.325/.529 with an .853 OPS, 21 hits, seven doubles, three home runs, 14 RBIs, four walks, and 18 strikeouts. Called up on April 24, he homered in his MLB debut against the Los Angeles Angels.
In 15 games with Pittsburgh, Gorski hit .195/.214/.390 with a .604 OPS, recording eight hits in 41 at-bats, including a triple, two home runs, four RBIs, one walk, and 16 strikeouts. He started nine games at first base and one in center field, notably robbing a home run from Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber on May 16. Kelly praised Gorski’s defensive growth at first base and a key homer in New York, expressing optimism about his development with consistent Triple-A at-bats. The Pirates’ first base options now include Nick Solak, Horwitz, and Jared Triolo, with Enmanuel Valdez and Endy Rodríguez sidelined by injuries.
In the game, the Pirates’ offense struggled, managing five hits as they fell to 15-31 overall and 6-18 on the road, losing seven of eight road series this season. The Phillies improved to 27-15, including 16-8 at home. Starter Carmen Mlodzinski allowed a first-inning run via Kyle Schwarber’s double and a third-inning solo homer by Bryson Stott, making it 2-0.
In the fourth, Mlodzinski gave up a single and double before Joey Wentz allowed three runs, pushing Philadelphia’s lead to 5-0. Pittsburgh’s offense was quiet until the ninth, when Bryan Reynolds’ two-run homer after Andrew McCutchen’s walk cut the deficit to 5-2. Joey Bart and Alexander Canario couldn’t rally, ending the game. The Pirates aim to avoid a sweep on May 18 at 1:35 p.m.
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