Mitch Keller pitched five solid innings and Miguel Andujar delivered a three-run double as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds by a 4-1 score at PNC Park on Tuesday night.
After a difficult stretch to open his 2022 campaign, Keller has performed the way Pirates’ fans have been hoping since he was first brought up to the majors. On Tuesday, he gave up one run on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts in his five innings on the mound. Despite not earning the victory, he did lower his ERA to 3.92 for the season. Wil Crowe earned the victory (6-10), while David Bednar tallied his 18th save of the year.
Hunter Greene started for the Reds, giving up one run (none earned) on four hits with three walks and ten strikeouts in six innings. Buck Farmer was tagged with the loss, giving up three runs on two hits and two walks in one inning on the mound.
Cincinnati took the lead in the first inning. A wild pitch by Keller allowed Jonathan India to score. It would be the only run the Reds would score on the night.
The Pirates tied the game in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded, Bryan Reynolds grounded into a double play, but Ji Hwan Bae to score from third.
Andujar delivered the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded, he cracked a bases-clearing double to center scoring Oneil Cruz, Reynolds, and Jack Suwinski to make it 4-1, which would be the final score.
This has been a disastrous season for Pittsburgh, but hopefully they can finish off this final week on a strong stretch. After winning the last two games, they have given themselves an opportunity to earn the series sweep over the Reds with another victory on Wednesday afternoon. Luis Cessa will take the mound for Cincinnati against Bryse Wilson for Pittsburgh.
Record vs. Reds: 11-7
Record vs. N.L. Central: 31-38
Record at Home: 31-46
Overall Record: 58-97
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
