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Jared Jones Ends Drought at Crucial Time for Pirates
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- Jared Jones Ends Drought at Crucial Time for Pirates
Jared Jones Ends Drought at Crucial Time for Pirates
PITTSBURGH – Entering Friday night's game against the Angels, the Pirates had not won a game that was started by Jared Jones since middle of July. Over his last seven starts, Jones had a personal 0-5 record while his team went winless during that time.
But Jones put a stop to the skid by delivering one of his best starts since returning from elbow surgery. The right-hander scattered three hits in six-scoreless innings for the Pirates in their 1-0 win at PNC Park.
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"It was pretty fun to be a part of," Jones said after the game.
Jones' six innings matched a season-high, as did the nine strikeouts he recorded. And for the first time this season, manager Don Kelly allowed his starter to exceed the 90-pitch mark. Jones threw 91 pitches across his six-stellar innings, 63 of which went for strikes.
It was a 1-2-3 first inning for Jones, who then found himself in hot water in the second. The Angels put runners on the corners on two straight hits to open the inning. But Jones settled in, getting Christian Moore to foul out to third base and striking out Jose Siri and ex-Pirate Adam Frazier.
After that, Jones only allowed two more baserunners the rest of his outing. He saved his best work for the end, retiring the final seven batters he faced, including four of the last five via strikeout.
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"He finished really strong," said manager Don Kelly.
A big reason for Jones' success was his slider, the pitch he relies on the most to put guys away. In a game where he generated 21 whiffs, 19 of those came on the slider.
"When I have my bread and butter with me, which I had tonight, usually is a good indication of me having a pretty good start," he explained. "I'm pretty grateful it worked out that way."
Kelly felt Jones' slider looked better than it has all season on Friday night.
"It seemed like early on when he first came back it was a little rusty and then there were signs of it [being better]," he said. "And then tonight it looked to be the best that it's been all year."
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Friday's start — Jones' 17th since returning from the injured list — marked his fourth time completing six innings.
The Pirates have been cautious managing Jones' workload after he missed the entire 2025 season. But given the situation the Pirates are in at 70-72 and 4.5 games out of a wild card spot, every game carries significant importance. Given how effective he was in this one, the Pirates had no choice but to leave him in for the sixth inning.
Jones rewarded the decision and more, and the Pirates earned a win in an ever-so-precious win with time on the calendar running out.
It's still a longshot, but the team's playoff hopes live another day. The Pirates certainly aren't wavering in their belief.
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"I feel like if anyone, we could be the one to get on a run," said Jones.
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