Facing the possibility of seeing a losing streak swell to six games, the Pirates were in desperate need of a stopper in the opening game of a three-game series against the Reds tonight.
Enter MitchKeller.
The Pirates' longest tenured player understood the assignment and gave his team seven innings of one-run ball in a 9-1 win over the Reds here at PNC Park. He allowed his one run on three hits with one walk and six strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 2.85 over seven starts. He now ranks 11th among National League pitchers in ERA and sits among the top 15 in WHIP (1.05). Six of his seven starts have lasted five-plus innings and he's allowed three or fewer runs in each of those six.
"We needed that from Mitch and he definitely exceeded expectations," Kelly said. "To go seven innings, one run, he was phenomenal.”
Keller admitted he tried not to hype this start up too much, focusing on his own showing.
"Just filled it up," Keller said. "Hank was calling a really good game there. I don't think I shook once. Defense was playing unbelievable. Offense getting out to the jump they did just made it a lot easier to go out there and try and fill it up and get quick outs. The offense was awesome. They exploded. It was a lot of fun."
THE ASYLUM
Keller steps up as stopper
Facing the possibility of seeing a losing streak swell to six games, the Pirates were in desperate need of a stopper in the opening game of a three-game series against the Reds tonight.
Enter Mitch Keller.
The Pirates' longest tenured player understood the assignment and gave his team seven innings of one-run ball in a 9-1 win over the Reds here at PNC Park. He allowed his one run on three hits with one walk and six strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 2.85 over seven starts. He now ranks 11th among National League pitchers in ERA and sits among the top 15 in WHIP (1.05). Six of his seven starts have lasted five-plus innings and he's allowed three or fewer runs in each of those six.
"We needed that from Mitch and he definitely exceeded expectations," Kelly said. "To go seven innings, one run, he was phenomenal.”
Keller admitted he tried not to hype this start up too much, focusing on his own showing.
"Just filled it up," Keller said. "Hank was calling a really good game there. I don't think I shook once. Defense was playing unbelievable. Offense getting out to the jump they did just made it a lot easier to go out there and try and fill it up and get quick outs. The offense was awesome. They exploded. It was a lot of fun."
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