Mitch Keller had things rolling Wednesday afternoon against the Padres. He got into a little bit of hot water with the go-ahead run 90 feet away in a scoreless game, but got through the sixth inning unscathed at just 75 pitches. Then, Don Kelly opted for his bullpen.
"He was nearing his pitch limit coming off the first time on regular rest," Kelly said. "And really felt really good about the pocket that Lawrence was going into."
It did not work out. Lawrence was pummeled, the defense committed three errors over the final three innings, leading to an 8-2 loss to close out the first homestand of the season at PNC Park.
It's not uncommon for starting pitchers to be limited early in the season. Kelly said Keller had a maximum of 85 pitches in this game. In explaining why he didn't want to give Keller a seventh trip to the mound, he said, "We're not looking to start anything after 78 (pitches). So if we're at 75, because if you get into a foul ball thing there like we talked about even with Paul (Skenes) early on and you get into a foul ball war, next thing you know it's a quick trigger."
For Keller, he always wants to be on the mound. The competitor in him wants to take the ball and never give it back to the manager. But, he also understands this is a long season. And, whether or not he'll admit it, the Pirates need him to be the same Keller that can take the ball every fifth day and be the same guy he's been over the past few seasons that can eat a lot of innings.
"I feel really good," Keller said after the game. "Felt like quick innings there. Pitch count was down. That's the goal every time, to be efficient, just to give yourself the opportunity to go seven, eight, or whatever it may be here later in the season. I feel really good."
THE ASYLUM
Why pull Keller after 75 pitches?
Mitch Keller had things rolling Wednesday afternoon against the Padres. He got into a little bit of hot water with the go-ahead run 90 feet away in a scoreless game, but got through the sixth inning unscathed at just 75 pitches. Then, Don Kelly opted for his bullpen.
"He was nearing his pitch limit coming off the first time on regular rest," Kelly said. "And really felt really good about the pocket that Lawrence was going into."
It did not work out. Lawrence was pummeled, the defense committed three errors over the final three innings, leading to an 8-2 loss to close out the first homestand of the season at PNC Park.
It's not uncommon for starting pitchers to be limited early in the season. Kelly said Keller had a maximum of 85 pitches in this game. In explaining why he didn't want to give Keller a seventh trip to the mound, he said, "We're not looking to start anything after 78 (pitches). So if we're at 75, because if you get into a foul ball thing there like we talked about even with Paul (Skenes) early on and you get into a foul ball war, next thing you know it's a quick trigger."
For Keller, he always wants to be on the mound. The competitor in him wants to take the ball and never give it back to the manager. But, he also understands this is a long season. And, whether or not he'll admit it, the Pirates need him to be the same Keller that can take the ball every fifth day and be the same guy he's been over the past few seasons that can eat a lot of innings.
"I feel really good," Keller said after the game. "Felt like quick innings there. Pitch count was down. That's the goal every time, to be efficient, just to give yourself the opportunity to go seven, eight, or whatever it may be here later in the season. I feel really good."
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