Mitch Keller’s spring ERA up to 7.50, Pirates shut out by Blue Jays
For the second consecutive outing, prized young pitcher Mitch Keller allowed a multiple-run inning during a Grapefruit League outing.
Monday, Keller allowed two extra-base hits, including a Danny Jansen home run, during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 4-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla.
The 23-year-old expected to settle into an MLB rotation this season, Keller was charged with three runs on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. But six Pirates pitchers combined to finish the game by tossing 5 2/3 hitless innings, striking out six.
Edgar Santana has now made three straight scoreless appearances.
Box Score: https://t.co/mtJsMTPxCO pic.twitter.com/GljoddeOk6
— Pirates (@Pirates) March 2, 2020
Edgar Santana retired all three batters he faced and has now made three consecutive appearances without allowing a hit or run.
Offensively, the Pirates managed just three hits (all singles) and two walks while getting caught stealing once and hitting into a double play. They only twice advanced a runner as far as second base.
The Pirates will play a pair of split-squad games Wednesday, in Bradenton against the Atlanta Braves and in Clearwater against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Trevor Williams, Michael Feliz, Miguel Del Pozo, Chris Stratton, Nik Turley and Richard Rodriguez are scheduled to pitch in the game at LECOM Park. Hector Noesi, Williams Jerez, Dovydas Neverauskas, Montana DuRapau, Luis Escobar and Blake Weiman are expected to pitch against the Phillies.
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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