### Pittsburgh Pirates Achieve Historic Shutout Sweep Against Cardinals The Pittsburgh Pirates have made headlines with an impressive performance, completing a three-game series shutout sweep against the St. Louis Cardinals. This achievement marks a significant turnaround for the Pirates, who outscored their opponents 43-4 over a six-game homestand, including victories against both the New York Mets and the Cardinals. The series showcased the Pirates' pitching prowess, particularly highlighted by Mitch Keller's record-setting performance at PNC Park, where he pitched seven scoreless innings in the final game of the series. This marked the first time since 1976 that the Pirates shut out the Cardinals in three consecutive games, emphasizing the team's remarkable defensive capabilities during this stretch [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/pirates-complete-series-shutout-sweep-of-20419159.php][https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/pirates-post-third-straight-shutout-against-cardinals-2025-07-02]. ### Breakdown of the Pirates' Series Performance 1. **Game Summaries**: - **Game 1**: The Pirates secured a narrow 1-0 victory, with Henry Davis driving in the only run via a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning [https://www.wtae.com/article/pirates-win-cardinals-winning-streak-5-games-july-1/65271503]. - **Game 2**: Mitch Keller led the team to a 5-0 win, pitching seven innings and striking out seven batters, contributing to the Pirates' third consecutive shutout [https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/pirates-post-third-straight-shutout-against-cardinals-2025-07-02]. - **Game 3**: The Pirates completed the sweep with another 5-0 victory, bolstered by a four-run eighth inning, including a two-run single from Isiah Kiner-Falefa [https://www.startribune.com/pirates-complete-series-shutout-sweep-of-cardinals-win-5-0-behind-keller-for-6-0-homestand/601385465]. 2. **Pitching Dominance**: - The Pirates' pitching staff held the Cardinals scoreless for 31 consecutive innings, marking their longest shutout streak since 2015 [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/pirates_post_third_straight_shutout_against_cardinals/s1_17044_42406662]. - Mitch Keller's performance not only contributed to the shutouts but also set a new strikeout record at PNC Park, showcasing his growth as a key player for the team [https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/pittsburgh-pirates/pirates-news-mitch-keller-strikeout-record-shutout-cardinals]. 3. **Offensive Contributions**: - The Pirates' offense was equally impressive, scoring a total of 43 runs during the six-game homestand, with significant contributions from players like Henry Davis and Isiah Kiner-Falefa [https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/sports/baseball/last-place-pirates-finish-a-6-0-homestand-by-shutting-out-cardinals-in-3-straight/article_327b9b2c-77cd-59da-8eab-cde20c2dec1b.html]. ### Summary of the Pirates' Recent Success The Pittsburgh Pirates have demonstrated a remarkable turnaround, achieving a historic shutout sweep against the St. Louis Cardinals. This series not only highlights their defensive strength but also showcases their offensive capabilities, leading to a season-high six-game winning streak. 1. **Historic Shutout**: The Pirates shut out the Cardinals in three consecutive games, a feat not accomplished since 1976. 2. **Pitching Excellence**: Mitch Keller's record-setting performance and the team's overall pitching dominance were key to their success. 3. **Offensive Power**: The Pirates outscored their opponents 43-4 during the homestand, indicating a potent offensive lineup. In conclusion, the Pirates' recent performances have not only revitalized their season but also set a new standard for excellence within the team, as they look to build on this momentum moving forward [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/pirates-complete-series-shutout-sweep-of-20419159.php][https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/pirates-post-third-straight-shutout-against-cardinals-2025-07-02].