Keller bails out weary bullpen, Pirates take series
After a 13-inning loss the night before that forced the Pirates to cover nine innings with the bullpen following a rain-shortened start from Paul Skenes, they got exactly what was needed Sunday afternoon: Mitch Keller worked seven innings, giving up two runs on five hits with no walks and five strikeouts to beat the Rays, 6-3, at PNC Park.
“Yeah, we needed that after last night," said Bryan Reynolds. "He's a pro. He stacks innings, goes right after them, doesn't give in and continues to do what he's done this whole time."
Keller’s only early blemish came on the fourth pitch of the afternoon, when Chandler Simpson opened with a single. From there, he'd retire the next 13 batters and carrying a scoreless bid into the fifth until the Rays tagged him for two runs.
“It was great. He was ready to get back out there, bouncing back from the start a few days ago... that’s what we expected out of him," said Joey Bart. "I knew he was going to throw the ball well. That’s what he’s been doing all year. It was good to see he gave us a chance."
The outing continued a strong early stretch for Keller. It was his fourth quality start in five turns through the rotation to earn his 2.79 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. Keller finished the game with a season total of 29 innings pitched, fourth most in the National League but today was one of those games a veteran can stop the bleeding.
"It was huge. Honestly, probably the biggest start of the year with where our bullpen was at and for him to be as strong as he was and get the 'W' for the team, it was unbelievable," said Don Kelly. "Just the way he attacked the zone and mixed up pitches. He did a great job."
THE ASYLUM
Keller bails out weary bullpen, Pirates take series
After a 13-inning loss the night before that forced the Pirates to cover nine innings with the bullpen following a rain-shortened start from Paul Skenes, they got exactly what was needed Sunday afternoon: Mitch Keller worked seven innings, giving up two runs on five hits with no walks and five strikeouts to beat the Rays, 6-3, at PNC Park.
“Yeah, we needed that after last night," said Bryan Reynolds. "He's a pro. He stacks innings, goes right after them, doesn't give in and continues to do what he's done this whole time."
Keller’s only early blemish came on the fourth pitch of the afternoon, when Chandler Simpson opened with a single. From there, he'd retire the next 13 batters and carrying a scoreless bid into the fifth until the Rays tagged him for two runs.
“It was great. He was ready to get back out there, bouncing back from the start a few days ago... that’s what we expected out of him," said Joey Bart. "I knew he was going to throw the ball well. That’s what he’s been doing all year. It was good to see he gave us a chance."
The outing continued a strong early stretch for Keller. It was his fourth quality start in five turns through the rotation to earn his 2.79 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. Keller finished the game with a season total of 29 innings pitched, fourth most in the National League but today was one of those games a veteran can stop the bleeding.
"It was huge. Honestly, probably the biggest start of the year with where our bullpen was at and for him to be as strong as he was and get the 'W' for the team, it was unbelievable," said Don Kelly. "Just the way he attacked the zone and mixed up pitches. He did a great job."
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