JT Brubaker, Mitch Keller shine as Pirates sweep Rockies with doubleheader shutouts

The Pittsburgh Pirates found the perfect antidotes to snap their six-game losing streak: a rainout and a doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies.

Pirates starters JT Brubaker and Mitch Keller combined to pitch 11 scoreless innings in a sweep of the Rockies in seven-inning games on a chilly Saturday afternoon at PNC Park.

Brubaker struck out five and allowed four hits in six innings in the 7-0 win before 5,279 in the first game, a makeup of Friday’s postponement because of inclement weather. Keller had six strikeouts and gave up two hits in five innings in the 4-0 win before 7,183 in the second game.

“It was nice to see Mitch come out and attack the zone, kind of just coupled off what Bru did in Game 1,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “I think when the messaging is very similar, which it is for those two guys, it can lead into it. And I thought both of them did a nice job.”

It was the first time the Pirates have had a shutout in both games of a doubleheader since Oct. 3, 1976, when they had a pair of 1-0 victories over the St. Louis Cardinals in the season finale at Three Rivers Stadium. Those were the last two games under Danny Murtaugh, who died Dec. 2, 1976.

“That’s crazy,” Shelton said, with a sly smile. “When you get two shutouts in a doubleheader, it gives us a lot better chance to win them.”

The Pirates (20-31) surpassed their win total from last year (19-41), when they had the worst record in the majors in the pandemic-shortened season. They had been outscored 46-10 in the previous six games, including a 20-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves on May 21, entering Saturday’s doubleheader.

The seven-run win in Game 1 was the Pirates’ largest margin of victory this season. They snapped a six-game losing streak by beating the Chicago Cubs by six runs in back-to-back games, 8-2 on April 10 and 7-1 on April 11.

“It always feels good when you win, and especially when you score a lot of runs like that,” said Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco, who went 2 for 4 with a triple and a sacrifice fly in the first game. “It’s tough for us, and we will continue to push this team. We’re just going to keep swinging, man, because it’s not easy, but it’s not impossible.”

Brubaker and Keller enjoyed bounce-back starts, a promising sign for a rotation with three starters (Steven Brault, Chad Kuhl and Trevor Cahill) on the injured list. Brubaker (4-4) had given up four home runs and 12 earned runs in his previous two starts. Keller (3-6) had allowed 14 earned runs on 21 hits in his last three starts, including five runs on eight hits (two homers) in a 6-1 loss to Atlanta on May 22.

“It was fun to watch. Really just dominating the zone today and moving it around,” said Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier, who went 3 for 7 with two RBIs and three runs scored in the two games. “A couple big moments. They had bases loaded or a couple guys on, one point each game, they made pitches and got out of it. Those two moments are listed out to be when adversity hits, and if you get out of it, that’s how you end up winning games. Take a couple big steps forward for them, and (it) gives us a chance to keep pouring on.”

In the second game, the Pirates got a leadoff home run from Frazier, who hit Austin Gomber’s first pitch into the right-field seats for a 1-0 lead. They added another run in the third when former Pirates catcher Elias Diaz made an inexplicable throw to third base as Bryan Reynolds drew ball four on a walk to load the bases. The ball sailed past third baseman Joshua Fuentes, allowing Frazier to score for a 2-0 lead.

Left fielder Ka’ai Tom celebrated his 26th birthday by being reinstated from the 10-day injured list and smacking a two-out home run — the second of his career — off Gomber for a 3-0 lead in the fourth. The Pirates made it 4-0 when Jacob Stallings led off the sixth with his first major league triple and scored on Will Craig’s single to right.

In the first game, the Pirates gave Brubaker a cushion with a three-run second inning. Wilmer Difo drew a leadoff double, advanced to second on Cole Tucker’s single to right and scored on a line drive by Michael Perez to center for a 1-0 lead. Brubaker drew a walk to load the bases for Frazier, whose fielder’s choice scored Tucker for a 2-0 lead. Perez scored on Ben Gamel’s sacrifice fly to left field for a 3-0 edge.

Reynolds smacked a Jhoulys Chacin slider 390 feet into the right-field seats for a two-run shot that gave the Pirates a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning. It was the sixth home run this season for Reynolds, who passed Colin Moran for the team lead.

Polanco followed with a triple off the Clemente Wall and scored on Tucker’s grounder to second by sliding under the tag of catcher Dom Nunez. The Rockies challenged the call, but it was upheld after a 3-minute, 15-second video review.

The Rockies (19-34) responded by loading the bases with one out in the sixth. Brubaker gave up a single to Raimel Tapia and a double to Ryan McMahon before hitting C.J. Cron with a pitch.

But Charlie Blackmon popped up to Polanco — whose pinpoint throw to the plate prevented a run — and got out of the jam when Brendan Rodgers flew out to right.

“Good start by Bru,” Shelton said. “Really efficient, commanded the zone. When he got off track, he got himself on really quick, which was really good to see. Came right out and attacked.”

That was the mentality for both Brubaker and Keller, who combined for six hits, three walks and no runs.

“We take pride in throwing up zeroes, any way it can happen,” Keller said. “We’re proud of ourselves for throwing up a zero. Then 14 straight innings of that is awesome. Just carry that into tomorrow. It’s just been a big thing for us — find a way — and we found a way to do it.”