PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In what used to be an emotional, competitive, high-stakes series has turned into Reds blowout wins. The latest a 14-1 final at PNC Park on Monday.
Mitch Keller lasted 3.1 innings giving up seven runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out two. Keller's ERA is now 7.81 after seven starts this year.
"I just fell behind a little bit here and there," Keller said. "They were looking for the pitch I threw. They got a hold of them. I just got hit around."
"It all started with a jam shot, broken bat single. Just kind of spiraled out of control out of that. I got to be better and stop the bleeding early."
"I think it was location," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. "Just missing spots. First couple of innings he did a good job of hitting his spots. As we've seen with this Reds team, you miss spots, they will do damage. And they did damage."
Duane Underwood, Jr. would give up a couple of inherited runs, but none of his own. Rule 5 pick Luis Oviedo pitched two innings giving up four runs. Geoff Hartlieb gave up three runs in the last two innings.
"Tonight was obviously not our night," Shelton said. "We did not locate from the fourth inning on in any stretch of the imagination. It seemed like every time we missed location, we paid for it."
While the Reds pounded out 15 hits, the Pirates managed only a run on a 409 foot shot to left by catcher Jacob Stallings. It was only of 5 Pirates hits on the day.
The Pirates have won two games in May and dropped to 14-20 overall. Reds outscored the Bucs 39-6 in the last three games.
"They are really aggressive," Shelton said of the Reds lineup. "They have a good lineup. They have some guys that are swinging the bat pretty well. When you are in the middle of the plate in a Major League game. You are going to get hard hit balls. That's what we saw tonight."
Gamel appearance
Ben Gamel made his Pirates debut striking out in his first at bat as a pinch hitter in the 7th and the outfielder would stay in to play first base. For only the second time in his pro career. Gamel would fly out for the final out of the game.
"I asked him today if he ever played anywhere else, kind of jokingly asked if he ever played first," Shelton said. "He said 'I've played two innings there'.
They said they made the move trying to get Adam Frazier off his feet in a game that has gotten out of hand. Gamel didn't have a first base mitt and borrowed one from assistant hitting coach Christian Marrero. The Bucs manager believes Gamel has the versatility to play any of the outfielder spots and now, first base.
Shelty's Shirts
Derek Shelton will wear the shirt of a charity pregame during selected home games. Monday's charity…
North Hills Community Outreach-in the last two years over 25,000 services to 3,200 people including low-income families. Helping people dealing with disasters--food, transportation, education, employment, attorney consultation and other service needs. Nhco.org
Up Next
Game two of the series against the Reds with JT Brubaker (2-2, 2.78 ERA) against right-hander Jeff Hoffman (2-2, 4.39 ERA). Pregame begins at 5:35 with Dan Zangrilli with first pitch on 93.7 The Fan at 6:35p.
