Pirates 2, Twins 1: Eight-game skid ends in series finale
The Pirates salvaged a win to conclude their nine-game road trip and bring an end to a season-worst eight-game losing streak by defeating the Twins, 2-1, in the final game of Major League Baseball's first half this afternoon at Target Field.
They broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the ninth inning when three straight hits from Ke'BryanHayes, OneilCruz and Isiah Kiner-Falefa were followed by Spencer Horwitz's RBI groundout. TommyPham hit a solo home run in the second.
Despite a lack of run support when he was on the mound, MitchKeller limited the Twins to one run on four hits over six innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three. Caleb Ferguson, Dennis Santana and DavidBednar combined to pitch three scoreless innings in relief.
"Just trying to go out there and keep us in the game, give us the best chance we can to win," Keller said. "Man, our bullpen came and shut it down. And then just some clutch hitting there by our guys. Horwitz, hitting the ball really hard and making it a tough play for (Brooks) Lee there in the ninth there is huge. So glad we could come out with the win here to cap off this first half. Hopefully keep it rolling in the second."
• 1-8 on their road trip • 13-37 away from PNC Park • 27-32 under Kelly
► THE NUMBER
14: Quality starts for Keller this season
► THE NEXT THREE
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THE ASYLUM
Pirates 2, Twins 1: Eight-game skid ends in series finale
The Pirates salvaged a win to conclude their nine-game road trip and bring an end to a season-worst eight-game losing streak by defeating the Twins, 2-1, in the final game of Major League Baseball's first half this afternoon at Target Field.
They broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the ninth inning when three straight hits from Ke'Bryan Hayes, Oneil Cruz and Isiah Kiner-Falefa were followed by Spencer Horwitz's RBI groundout. Tommy Pham hit a solo home run in the second.
Despite a lack of run support when he was on the mound, Mitch Keller limited the Twins to one run on four hits over six innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three. Caleb Ferguson, Dennis Santana and David Bednar combined to pitch three scoreless innings in relief.
"Just trying to go out there and keep us in the game, give us the best chance we can to win," Keller said. "Man, our bullpen came and shut it down. And then just some clutch hitting there by our guys. Horwitz, hitting the ball really hard and making it a tough play for (Brooks) Lee there in the ninth there is huge. So glad we could come out with the win here to cap off this first half. Hopefully keep it rolling in the second."
► THE COVERAGE
From our staff on the scene:
• News: Deadline focus is 'short-term'
• News: Skenes named All-Star starter
• Video: Skenes 'honored' by selection
► THE HIGHLIGHTS
► MORE POSTGAME VIDEO
• Manager: Kelly's press conference
• Players: Inside the clubhouse
► THE BOXSCORE
► MORE GAME DATA
• Hitter breakdowns
• Pitcher breakdowns
• Updated statistics
• Season schedule
► THE STANDINGS
► THE TRENDS
• 1-8 on their road trip
• 13-37 away from PNC Park
• 27-32 under Kelly
► THE NUMBER
14: Quality starts for Keller this season
► THE NEXT THREE
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