# Pirates Reliever Stepping Up

> Brandon Eisert's clutch relief keeps Pirates in playoff push.
- Title: Pirates Reliever Stepping Up · Pittsburgh Pirates On SI
- Summary: Brandon Eisert's clutch relief keeps Pirates in playoff push. Pirates reliever Brandon Eisert's recent dominance with 6 1/3 scoreless innings has kept…
- Keywords: pittsburgh pirates, brandon eisert, milwaukee brewers, pnc park, september 15, relief pitcher, playoff push, bullpen, sports, Pirates, Reliever, Stepping
- Source: Pittsburgh Pirates On SI — https://si.com/mlb/pirates/onsi/pittsburgh-pirates-reliever-brandon-eisert-stepping-up-needed-most
- Published: 2026-09-16T15:00:02+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: pittsburgh pirates, brandon eisert, milwaukee brewers, pnc park, september 15, relief pitcher, playoff push, bullpen, sports
## Pirates' Bullpen Stabilizing
The Pittsburgh Pirates' bullpen has been a revolving door all summer, but one arm has quietly emerged as a stabilizing force this month.
## Eisert's September Dominance
Left-hander Brandon Eisert, in his second stint with the Pirates in September, has seized his latest opportunity with a stretch of dominance that has kept them in games during a fading playoff push.
## Eisert vs Brewers Series Opener
Eisert was excellent against the Milwaukee Brewers in the series opener at PNC Park on Sept. 15, worked 2 1/3 innings of no-hit relief and keeping the Pirates in it before they ended up losing 5-1.
## Eisert's Roster Position Goal
The loss was unfortunate, but Eisert is showing he wants that spot on the Pirates' roster going into next season.
## Eisert Filling In for Injuries
Eisert's latest promotion came with injuries that decimated the Pirates' relief corps and forced them to turn elsewhere.
## Kirby Yates Injury
The team acquired Kirby Yates from the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline to bolster the back end of the bullpen, but the veteran right-hander went on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement on Sept. 3, retroactive to Aug. 31.
## Eisert Recalled for Injuries
The Pirates also recalled Eisert on Sept. 8, when they placed right-handed pitcher Isaac Mattson on the 15-day injured list with right hip impingement.
## Eisert's Monthly Performance
Eisert has taken advantage, throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings in four appearances this month.
## Eisert's Previous Stint
If you lengthen that time span to include Eisert's previous stint with the Pirates in July, he has thrown 8 1/3 scoreless innings; the reliever threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings on July 28.
## Eisert's Summer Performance
He has surrendered just one hit while striking out seven, a stretch that stands in stark contrast to his uneven summer.
## Eisert's Early Struggles
The Pirates acquired Eisert and infielder Jacob Gonzalez in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on July 10, but the southpaw struggled early on.
## Eisert's June Performance
Eisert posted a 7.71 ERA over seven innings in his seven appearances for the Pirates in July, and also posted a 5.73 ERA in June with the White Sox.
## Eisert's Triple-A Success
Eisert found success at Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a 2.08 ERA over 10 appearances and 13 innings pitched, and he's continued that with the Pirates.
## Eisert's Clutch Outings
His performance for the Pirates was so clutch because it came in a bullpen game, and he got seven big outs.
## Key takeaway

Pirates reliever Brandon Eisert's recent dominance with 6 1/3 scoreless innings has kept Pittsburgh in games during their fading playoff push.