The Latest Breaking News from KeBryan Hayes

PITTSBURGH — Not a drop of rain fell on the PNC Park grass, but much of what transpired Monday on the North Shore could’ve been described by a series of short bursts, exciting bits of action that ultimately defined the Pirates’ 6-4 series-opening victory against the red-hot Texas Rangers.

PITTSBURGH — For the better part of this season, Mitch Keller has performed like an ace. Entering Saturday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park, he had put together back-to-back starts totaling 16 scoreless innings, with one walk and 21 strikeouts during the stretch.

PITTSBURGH — As the Pirates plotted ways to dig themselves out of a sizable funk, with losses in 11 of 12 games entering Sunday’s series finale in Baltimore, this likely wasn’t a course they charted. Facing opening day starters in three of the four subsequent contests, it looked like a…

PITTSBURGH — Vince Velasquez hopped off the mound, pumped both of his fists and let out a guttural scream, the right-hander clearly disinterested in hiding his emotions after a strikeout of Reds third baseman Jason Vosler on a slider in the seventh inning Sunday afternoon.

PITTSBURGH — There was no 14-run explosion this time. Not even eight, as the Pirates had averaged over the past five games, all wins. Furthermore, the Pirates saw their quality start streak snapped at 11.

DENVER — The Pirates totaled a pair of touchdowns during their 14-3 victory against the Colorado Rockies on Monday at Coors Field. They also collected 16 hits, an offensive onslaught where every starter — except poor Connor Joe, who was playing in his former park — had at least one.…

ST. LOUIS — Bases loaded situations had been a painfully unsuccessful scenario for the Cardinals, and it looked like it might be part of another frustrating loss marked by missed opportunities. But Tommy Edman smacked an RBI single through the infield with two outs and the bases loaded to drive…

ST. LOUIS — Andrew McCutchen doesn't agree with the idea of distilling the celebration of Jackie Robinson down into one day. For McCutchen, it's something he tries to do every day he takes the field, by the way he plays the game and carries himself.

The dream of a 30-30 or 40-40 season for Oneil Cruz isn't likely to become reality, unless he rejoins the Pirates later this season and goes on some sort of Mario Lemieux-level tear.

PITTSBURGH — Call it potential contract leverage, symmetry or just plain dominance. Doesn't matter. Bryan Reynolds is in some kind of zone right now, and the White Sox — in a Pirates home opener that was supposed to be about Andrew McCutchen — paid the price.

It's time to take the Pirates somewhat seriously again — and kudos to them on a perfectly executed tank job.