Mitch Keller walks to the dugout after being relieved in the sixth inning Saturday at PNC Park.
The Pirates' slump continued Saturday afternoon at PNC Park, as they fell to the Rangers, 3-2, dropping to 30-48 on the season. The loss was their seventh in nine games, and it was the third straight series loss.
Mitch Keller turned in another solid performance, despite earning the loss and falling to a ridiculous 1-10 on the season. He worked through 5 2/3 innings, throwing 99 pitches, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts. However, only two of those runs were earned as the first run scored in the third inning on an error by Adam Frazier in left field. While Keller fell just short of a quality start, the Pirates only scored one run while he was on the mound, lowering the average run support he receives to 1.4 runs per game. This was the ninth time in a row Keller received two or less runs of support, which hasn't happened to anyone since Danny Darwin in 1984.
“I’ve just gotta keep going,” Keller said. “Like I’ve said before, I don’t pay attention to the score. I’m down underneath the tunnel, just game planning with Henry [Davis] and Oscar [Marin] about what we’re going to do in the next inning and who’s coming up. Whatever happens in the innings when I’m not in there happens. Just keeping the same level of focus, same level of intent out there no matter what’s going on.”
The offense couldn't get anything going against Texas starter Kumar Rocker, who entered the game with a 7.31 ERA, this despite having the leadoff runner reach base four times in the first six innings. The lineup went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position, and failed to log a base hit against the Rangers' bullpen. Neither of the Pirates' runs scored on base hits, as Oneil Cruz drove in one with a sacrifice fly in the fifth and Henry Davis ground into a fielder's choice with the bases loaded in the sixth.
• Lost 10 of past 18 • 15-24 at home • 18-22 under Kelly
► THE NUMBER
11: Number of Pirates hitters retired to end the game
► THE NEXT THREE
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
10:42 pm - 06.21.2025North ShoreRangers 3, Pirates 2: Offense fails Keller (again)
JUSTIN BERL / GETTY
Mitch Keller walks to the dugout after being relieved in the sixth inning Saturday at PNC Park.
The Pirates' slump continued Saturday afternoon at PNC Park, as they fell to the Rangers, 3-2, dropping to 30-48 on the season. The loss was their seventh in nine games, and it was the third straight series loss.
Mitch Keller turned in another solid performance, despite earning the loss and falling to a ridiculous 1-10 on the season. He worked through 5 2/3 innings, throwing 99 pitches, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts. However, only two of those runs were earned as the first run scored in the third inning on an error by Adam Frazier in left field. While Keller fell just short of a quality start, the Pirates only scored one run while he was on the mound, lowering the average run support he receives to 1.4 runs per game. This was the ninth time in a row Keller received two or less runs of support, which hasn't happened to anyone since Danny Darwin in 1984.
“I’ve just gotta keep going,” Keller said. “Like I’ve said before, I don’t pay attention to the score. I’m down underneath the tunnel, just game planning with Henry [Davis] and Oscar [Marin] about what we’re going to do in the next inning and who’s coming up. Whatever happens in the innings when I’m not in there happens. Just keeping the same level of focus, same level of intent out there no matter what’s going on.”
The offense couldn't get anything going against Texas starter Kumar Rocker, who entered the game with a 7.31 ERA, this despite having the leadoff runner reach base four times in the first six innings. The lineup went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position, and failed to log a base hit against the Rangers' bullpen. Neither of the Pirates' runs scored on base hits, as Oneil Cruz drove in one with a sacrifice fly in the fifth and Henry Davis ground into a fielder's choice with the bases loaded in the sixth.
► THE COVERAGE
From our staff on the scene:
• News: Cruz: 'I trusted myself too much'
• News: Reynolds activated, Borucki to IL
► 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
• Lost 10 of past 18
• 15-24 at home
• 18-22 under Kelly
► THE NUMBER
11: Number of Pirates hitters retired to end the game
► THE NEXT THREE
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