Pirates' Mitch Keller stretches scoreless streak in win over Red Sox

Mitch Keller gave up back-to-back singles, putting Boston Red Sox runners on first and second with one out in the top of the fourth inning. It was the type of scenario that saw the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander go into meltdown mode the past three seasons.

This time, Keller heated up.

Keller threw three consecutive four-seam fastballs — registering velocities of 96.6, 97.1 and 98.6 mph — to strike out Rob Refsnyder on three pitches. After allowing a Franchy Cordero single to load the bases, Keller got Yolmer Sanchez to fly out to escape unscathed.

With a third consecutive impressive start, Keller continued to make his case to be the Opening Day starter in a 6-2 win over the Red Sox on Tuesday afternoon in a Grapefruit League game at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla.

Keller tossed four scoreless innings, allowing five hits and had four strikeouts without a walk. Keller hasn’t allowed a run in 8 2/3 innings, thanks to increased velocity and his handling of pressure situations.

“That’s huge, just knowing I can get out of those situations,” Keller told AT&T SportsNet after his outing. “I felt super confident and calm in those situations, whereas in the past my mind might have sped up a little bit. Just knowing that I have the velocity there and can blow it by somebody when I need to, that just helps a lot with confidence and knowing I can get out of these situations with my best stuff.”

The club’s former top pitching prospect has endured a couple rough springs in the past. Last year, he was 1-1 with an 11.91 ERA and 2.74 WHIP in five starts. In 2019, Keller was 0-1 with a 22.50 ERA and 3.25 WHIP in two starts.

“I’m feeling free and easy again,” Keller said.

The Pirates provided Keller with run support, thanks to solo home runs by Hoy Park in the second inning and Daniel Vogelbach in the fifth sandwiched around an RBI double by Roberto Perez to score Greg Allen in the fourth.

Allen was hit by a Jake Diekman pitch to lead off the sixth, then stole second and third. Cole Tucker drew a walk, setting the stage for Kevin Newman to hit a three-run home run to left field for a 6-0 lead.

The Red Sox got a two-run homer by Ceddanne Rafaela off Austin Brice in the ninth inning.

Notes: The Pirates announced that third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes suffered a minor right ankle sprain in practice last week and will be withheld from game activities for a “brief period of time.” Hayes is expected to continue all baseball activities except for baserunning. … Bryse Wilson is scheduled to start against Josh Winder when the Pirates visit the Minnesota Twins at 1:05 p.m. Wednesday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.