After a ten-game road trip, the Pittsburgh Pirates were back at PNC Park Tuesday night to begin a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox. Both teams are having disappointing seasons, but for different reasons. Pittsburgh was hoping to see their young minor league players make a splash at the big-league level, while Boston looked to make a run at the World Series. Neither of those dreams are currently on track.
Mitch Keller had been pitching well prior to tonight, but left the game after only two innings because of ineffectiveness. Keller claimed he wasn’t injured in the postgame press conference, but was roughed up during his time on the mound. He allowed five runs, four earned, on five hits with three walks and one strikeout.
Chase De Jong was the first Bucco to come out of the bullpen and did a great job covering the next four innings. He did not allow a hit, and struck out and walked one batter. Austin Brice worked the seventh and eighth innings, striking out one batter. The ninth belonged to Manny Banuelos and he would strike out all three batters he faced.
Down five runs heading into the eighth, the Pirates mounted a comeback. With the bases loaded Ben Gamel would double to right center to clear the bases and bring his team back to within two runs. That would be as close as they got, as Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Barnes notched his third save of the season by striking out two of the three batters, he faced in the ninth.
Not much offense from either team tonight, as Boston outhit Pittsburgh 5-4. Had it not been for Keller’s rough start, the Pirates may have notched a win tonight. Pittsburgh will welcome back Roansy Contreras from AAA Indianapolis on Wednesday night to make the start against Rich Hill. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm.
Record vs. Red Sox: 0-1
Record vs. American League: 3-10
Record at Home: 24-30
Overall Record: 45-71
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
