Mitch Keller threw eight shutout innings on Thursday afternoon as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Washington Nationals by a 2-0 score at PNC Park.
With the win, the Bucs secured the series victory, taking three of four games this week and five of seven game this season overall. They now sit at 69-78 overall, and are 37-38 at home.
Keller was phenomenal today, holding the Nationals’ batters in check throughout his stint on the mound. He gave up just two hits and issued one walk in his eight innings, while striking out seven batters on his way to his 12th victory of the season. David Bednar earned his 35th save of the season by shutting things down and sealing the win in the ninth.
Josiah Gray pitched a solid game for Washington, despite suffering the loss. He lasted 6.1 innings, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out 10 batters.
The Pirates’ offense didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard this afternoon, but they did do enough to come away with the win. Jack Suwinski blasted a solo homerun, his 25th of the season, to right field in the second inning to give the Bucs an early 1-0 lead. Alfonso Rivas hit a solo homerun in the fifth, his 3rd of the year, to make it 2-0. That is all the offense they would need on this day with Keller on the mound.
This was a feel-good game, and series, for the Pirates. Taking three out of four games has this team playing with momentum as they welcome the New York Yankees to PNC Park for three games, beginning Friday evening. Gerrit Cole will be on the bump for New York against Johan Oviedo for Pittsburgh. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm.
Record vs. Nationals: 5-2
Record vs. N.L. East: 14-13
Record at Home: 37-38
Overall Record: 69-78
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
