The Pittsburgh Pirates stumbled against the Philadelphia Phillies, falling 5-2 on May 17. Despite a promising start from Carmen Mlodzinski, who had a perfect first two innings, he couldn’t maintain his form, allowing four runs in just 3.1 innings. The Pirates managed only four hits throughout the game, lacking offensive support, which has been a recurring issue for the team this season.

Mlodzinski's inconsistency raises concerns; his ERA jumps significantly in the middle innings, contrasting sharply with his early-game performance. The Pirates' struggles are compounded by their overall record, now standing at 15-31, reflecting a season plagued by offensive inefficiencies and pitching struggles.