Curtis's Unforgettable Journey to MLB Win

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitchers will always remember their first Major League win, but sometimes the stories are even better. Khristian Curtis has one of those with his first big-league win helping the Pirates to a 5-2 decision over the Giants.

Curtis was third of six pitchers used by manager Don Kelly on Thursday afternoon, but he went the longest and at the right time. Pitching innings four through six, Curtis gave up his first MLB runs (2) on a hit and three walks while striking out a pair, but kept the Bucs in the game.

It was an outing that typified his mentality which he really learned in just his third big league opportunity—minimize damage. He said he lost the fastball command at times, but didn’t allow the game to get away from him. A few times in the minors he’s tried to be too perfect and it really cost him—the numbers in AA and AAA in 2026 are 3-8 with a 4.90 ERA and 1.39 WHIP.

Curtis made his MLB debut at Cleveland on July 18 and was spectacular giving up just two hits over five scoreless innings. He then pitched August 23^rd at Dodger Stadium with three hitless innings and then his first PNC Park game Thursday.

It was a big 5-2 win for the Pirates trying to hang on to Wild Card relevance, five games back as the game ended.

What made it more impressive was the journey to Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old right-hander was in Toledo with AAA Indianapolis Wednesday night when he found out at 10:30p that he might be needed. He was on the road by 11:30p and made it to a hotel downtown by 3a Thursday morning. He said the excitement didn’t allow him to sleep until about 4a.

That wasn’t all, he wasn’t sure he was going to pitch. The team had to finish medicals on veteran reliever Kirby Yates. They determined Yates would go to the injured list about an hour before the 12:35p first pitch and told Curtis to get over from the hotel.

Now after going 0-7 in AA this year, he’s 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA in the majors.

“It’s unbelievable,” Curtis said, adding that he’s trusting his abilities now. “It’s a dream come true, just ready to keep stacking those up.”