Morning Rundown: Mitch Keller struggles continue, Pirates lose first game of season
Mitch Keller's struggles to start season continues as the Pirates drop their first game of the season
After a 5-0 start that included a come-from-behind win, the Pirates couldn’t work any of their late-game magic, losing their first of the season, a 5-3 loss to the Washington Nationals.
The Pirates jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning, only to surrender four in the bottom half of the frame.
Washington added another run, a Jack Suwinski home run, which was the Pirates' only offense the rest of the way out.
Things didn’t go much better for Mitch Keller in his second start of the season, as he allowed four earned runs (five total) in 5.1 innings pitched while allowing eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts.
Jack Suwinski hit his first two extra-base hits of the season, a double and a home run, which comprised half of the Pirates’ hits on the night.
Martin Perez is expected to start the series finale against Josiah Gray.
The Pirates officially placed Jason Delay on the 10-day injured list, making room to activate Joey Bart after trading for him on Tuesday.
We still don’t have official rosters for Altoona (though a picture was out on Twitter that looked to be the program with the roster on it), Greensboro, and Bradenton. We will have roster previews out when they release, probably as some mass article dumb Thursday afternoon or Friday before the games start.
Top Exit Velocity
Jack Suwinski - PIT - 109.1 MPH - Home Run
Michael A. Taylor - PIT - 108.9 MPH - Single
Henry Davis - PIT - 103.2 MPH - Field Error
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 103 MPH - Flyout
Ke’Bryan Hayes - PIT - 102.8 MPH - Groundout
Top Pitch Velocity
Mitch Keller - 96.4 MPH
Mitch Keller - 95.9 MPH
Mitch Keller - 95.5 MPH
Mitch Keller - 95.4 MPH
Mitch Keller - 95.2 MPH
Most Whiffs (Whiff%)
Mitch Keller - PIT - 10 (25%)
Josh Fleming - PIT - 6 (50%)
Hunter Stratton - PIT - 1 (20%)
The Indianapolis Indians game was postponed due to weather. It will be made up at some point this week by way of a doubleheader, but for now, which day hasn’t been decided.
There was a “leverage” debate a few days ago, wondering if Shelton should have brought in Chapman in the top of the 2nd 🤔?
No need to panic or exaggerate but today is possibly the most important must-win since Game 7 of the '92 NLCS.