PITTSBURGH—What happened? The Orioles’ offense produced little, their bullpen couldn’t hold off the Pittsburgh Pirates in the eighth and ninth, and their defense faltered.

Closer Ryan Helsley allowed a one-out double to Bryan Reynolds in the ninth, and Nick Yorke lined a double to left on a slider that was on the inside part of the plate, giving the Pirates a 3-2 win over the Orioles before 27,949 at PNC Park on Saturday.

It was the Orioles’ second straight loss, and they’re 3-5.

Helsley thought he had Yorke struck out and tapped his cap for a challenge, but the Orioles were out of challenges because shortstop Gunnar Henderson used their last in the top of the ninth. Instead of a Helsley strikeout, the Orioles had an unsightly loss.

“I thought it was a strike, and then found out later it was a strike,” Helsley said. “I mean, that’s part of the game, that’s where we’re at. It’s just unfortunate it didn’t work out.”

The unsuccessful challenges were by third baseman Coby Mayo in the second and Henderson in the ninth. Both were strikeouts.

“They both were ending the at-bat,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “They thought they were down. Like I said, I have no problem with challenging, but it’s one of those things you always wish you had one in the ninth inning. But I have no problem with those challenges just because it was the ending of the at-bat.”

Helsley entered with the score tied, 2-2. After Brandon Lowe grounded to second, Reynolds drove a double to left that Dylan Beavers was unable to run down. Ryan O’Hearn was walked intentionally. Yorke’s double came on Helsley’s 3-2 pitch.

“I actually felt really good,” Helsley said. “I thought I threw the ball well. Bryan put a good swing on a fastball away. Once it got to 3-2 there, I didn’t want to load the bases, tried to compete in the zone and he put a good swing on a pitch and obviously won them the game.”

What happened to the Orioles’ offense? The Orioles scored two runs in the fourth against Carmen Mlodzinski on four singles and a walk. Dylan Beavers and Leody Taveras’ RBI singles gave them a 2-0 lead. They had the bases loaded with one out, but Colton Cowser struck out and Blaze Alexander grounded out to short.

After the fourth, they had just one hit, Coby Mayo’s single to center in the eighth. Mayo was picked off.

“It looks like the fourth inning, we did a great job grinding out at-bats,” Albernaz said. “Then after that we just couldn’t get anything going. Credit to the pitching staff over there. They did a great job keeping us off balance, but I think the Coby Mayo pick was tough. That kind of ended that inning rally. But we just couldn’t get anything going after that.”

Each of the Orioles’ hits were singles.

What happened to Baz and Nunez? In his second start, Baz allowed an unearned run on three hits in 5 2/3 innings.

He couldn’t handle Reynolds grounder in the fourth and was changed with an error. Reynolds scored on Spencer Horwitz’s sacrifice fly to left.

“Just kind of got stuck in my glove,” Baz said.

Marcell Ozuna led off the eighth with an infield single against Nunez. Yorke, who pinch-ran, was on third after two groundouts. Nick Gonzales walked, and pinch-hitter Jake Magnum dribbled one to Nunez, who had it tick off his glove. It was generously ruled a single, and Yorke scored with the tying run.

“I just got too excited,” Nunez said. “Trying to make the play quick instead of just taking my time. Just was sped up out there.”

Albernaz defended his team’s defense.

“I think the [pitcher’s fielding practice] portion could be better,” he said. “The one with Baz and then the one with Nuney in the eighth. Mayo had a tough play with the slow hit by Ozuna. But other than that, defense was solid today. Made a couple nice plays at third. Adley had a lot of clutch blocks behind the plate. So, yeah, defense was good.”

What happened with Beavers in left? Both Reynolds and Yorke’s doubles were over Beavers’ head.

“They’re tough plays but I would like to make both of them,” he said. “It’s just frustrating.”

Beavers said the players haven’t lost confidence.

“I think everyone’s pretty confident,” Beavers said. “I think we have a lot of really good players in here and they’re just trying to put it all together and hopefully tomorrow everything aligns.”

What does it mean? Yes, the bullpen wasn’t solid, and there were fielding lapses, but the offense failed to produce. They need a boost from first baseman Pete Alonso, who’s hitless in his last 11 at-bats and is still trying to find his timing.

What’s the stat of the day? 6. The Orioles walked six times, five after the fourth inning, but didn’t score in the final five innings.

What’s the word?  “It would’ve been great to have a challenge right there. I know Helsley wanted to challenge, but yeah, we didn’t have one.”-Albernaz on the Orioles’ not having a challenge in the ninth.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Luis De León allowed four runs in four innings as Double-A Chesapeake lost to Hartford, 4-2. De León the Orioles No. 2 prospect, gave up four hits, walked three and struck out five.

Rightfielder Thomas Sosa had a two-run double.

Triple-A Norfolk was rained out in Memphis. 

What’s next? Chris Bassitt (0-1, 8.31) will start against Brandon Ashcraft (0-1, 3.00) on Sunday at 1:35 p.m.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: [email protected]