PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates scored in the first inning, maybe this would be the night. It would be the only run they scored as another solid starting pitching performance resulted in a loss, 7-1 against the Reds on Monday. Reds got five earned runs against the bullpen.
It’s now 24 straight games scoring four runs or fewer and a third of those games the Bucs scored one or no runs. Bucs got their only run on a two-out double by Joey Bart. They struck out eight times with only five hits, three singles, two were infield singles. Reds starter Nick Lodolo was helped by a couple of solid defensive plays.
Mitch Keller gave up a run in the first after a two-out walk to Elly De La Cruz and double to Austin Hayes. Reds scored an unearned run in the sixth as an Isiah Kiner-Falefa error with two outs allowed Hays in scoring position. He scored after what was ruled a double by Gavin Lux. The ball was hit to left field and as Tommy Pham slid to make a catch, the ball bounced off his glove. David Bednar gave up two runs in the eighth and Colin Holderman gave up three runs in the ninth inning.
“I honestly don’t know the exact answer for you,” Keller said about what turns it around for the team. “I’m not just going to make up an answer to have one. I think just the quality of work pregame. Intention during the game. We just got to bring a will to win.”
Jared Jones exam
Starting righty Jared Jones has been out since bring training after feeling something with his elbow, on Tuesday he will meet orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister. The fear is the potential of Tommy John surgery and the likelihood Jones would miss the rest of 2025 and 2026.
Kelly said after going through some rehab steps this spring, late last week he had ‘some recurring stuff in his elbow’. The Bucs manager said they would have some updates later in the week.
Leyland/Lamont influence
After he has been praised by returning Pirates coach Gene Lamont and also Jim Leyland, Kelly asked if he used to manage along with Leyland when he played for him.
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"I think always as a player I had that, and always tried to think along with Leyland and Lamont with my role of being a bench guy and trying to figure out pinch-hit, defensive replacement, pinch-run, trying to figure out when they would use me and how they were going to use me so that I can be prepared for it,” Kelly said Monday. “Just really trying to think along with them for me to be prepared, but also in the other nuances in the game as well."
Up Next
Game two of the series with the Pirates starting a lefty this time, Bailey Falter (2-3, 4.02 ERA) against Reds RHP Nick Martinez (2-4, 3.66 ERA). Dan Zangrilli starts the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show at 5:45 on 93.7 The Fan.
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