Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, March 31, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

On deck

Tonight: Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay, 7:05 p.m.

Pitchers: Pirates’ TBA vs. Rays RHP Shane Baz (0-0)

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh

Radio: HANK-FM 96.1

TAMPA — The Pittsburgh Pirates struggled again at the plate and lost their series opener to the Tampa Bay Rays, 6-1, Monday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The Pirates are now 1-4 on the season, as they lost three games to the Miami Marlins on the road on walk-offs, 5-4 on both March 27 on Opening Day and then March 29 in 12 innings, plus 3-2 on March 30. Their only win came 4-3 on March 28.

Pittsburgh’s 1-4 start is their worst through five games since they started 1-6 in the 2021 season, when they ended up with a 61-101 record.

The Pirates had a chance to take the lead in the top of the third inning, as Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled on a bunt with one out.

Kiner-Falefa stole second base and made it to third base on a groundout from Tommy Pham, but designated hitter Bryan Reynolds also grounded out, ending their chances.

The Pirates had right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski start his first game of the season, in place of fellow righty Jared Jones, who is currently on the 60-day Injured List.

Mlodzinski, who spent most of his past two seasons with the Pirates in the bullpen, started off well, with three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and a walk and striking out three batters.

He started the bottom of the fourth inning poorly, allowing a lead-off single to the Rays’ Junior Caminero and then a double to Jonathan Aranda.

Christopher Morel got the Rays on board, as his single scored Caminero, and then Kameron Misner doubled, scoring Aranda, making it 2-0.

Mlodzinski struck out Danny Jansen, but then allowed a double to Jake Mangum, scoring Morel and Misner and doubling the Rays lead at 4-0. Mangum finished the night going 4-for-4, with two hits from each side of the plate.

Southpaw pitcher Tim Mayza came in for Mlodzinski, who loaded the bases, ending his night after 3ª innings, and got out of the sixth