After being embarrassed on Monday night by the Cleveland Guardians, the Pittsburgh Pirates were looking to get back on track and snap a four-game losing streak Tuesday night. That plan was short lived with Cleveland putting up five runs in the first inning on their way to a 10-1 victory. The loss for Pittsburgh keeps them winless since the All-Star break.
This was easily the worst start of the year for Mitch Keller. He would allow eight runs on ten hits with two walks and one strikeout during six innings on the bump. Let’s hope that it was just rust from the extended time off from his last start. Angel Perdomo struck out two in the seventh, before Carmen Mlodzinski worked a scoreless eighth. Yohan Ramirez gave up a two-run homer during his time on the mound in the ninth.
Guardians’ starter Logan Allen struck out eight, walked one, and allowed one hit while pitching five innings. Eli Morgan gave up a solo home run to Connor Joe in the sixth, to go with one strikeout. The seventh inning belonged to Trevor Stephan who gave up two hits and struck out one. Enyel De Los Santos also struck out one during an inning of work. Tim Herrin allowed one hit while pitching the ninth.
Josh Naylor led the Cleveland offense with two home runs, a three-run home run in the first and a two-run shot in the ninth. Former Bucco Josh Bell hit a two-run dinger in the seventh to put the Guardians up seven. In all, Cleveland would collect thirteen hits on the night to the Pirates five, with no member of the Pittsburgh offense having more than one hit.
The youth movement may be here for the Pirates, but it is not providing that instant relief that any of us hoped for. Better to get some of those growing pains out of the way now instead of 2024. These two teams will wrap up this three-game series Wednesday afternoon at 12:35pm. Rich Hill will start for Pittsburgh, while the Guardians will counter with Aaron Civale.
Record vs. Guardians: 0-2
Record vs. American League: 11-20
Record at Home: 22-26
Overall Record: 41-54
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
