Blue Jays 7, Pirates 3: Keller's second-half slide continues

THE ASYLUM

North Shore

Blue Jays 7, Pirates 3: Keller's second-half slide continues

JOE SARGENT / GETTY

The Blue Jays' George Springer steals second ahead of Jared Triolo's tag in the first inning Tuesday night at PNC Park.

The tale of two halves that have plagued Mitch Keller's career continued tonight, as he struggled once again in the Pirates' 7-3 loss to the Blue Jays at PNC Park.

Keller, who has experienced frequent woes during the second half in years past, struggled from the beginning in hitting leadoff batter George Springer on his third pitch of the game en route to a 3 1/3-inning appearance in which he allowed five earned runs, seven hits, a wild pitch, three walks and struck out five.

"Just the command, falling behind guys and when you get ahead, being able to finish it and put guys away," Don Kelly said. "Just have to reset and get back to the drawing board with Mitch."

Max Scherzer tossed six innings, allowing one run on four hits as the Pirates squandered a second-inning bases-loaded opportunity and went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position.