PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Seven of the eight Pirates runs driven in by players acquired in trades. Bucs win their 59th of the season 8-6 against the Cubs.
Colin Moran (Houston-Gerrit Cole trade) hit a 3-run homer in the first inning and later a RBI single in the seventh. Hoy Park (Yankees-Clay Holmes trade) a 2-out, 2-run RBI triple in the sixth to tie the game. Michael Chavis (Boston-Austin Davis) gave the Pirates the lead with a two-out, pinch-hit single driving in Park. It was Chavis' first MLB at bat since August 28 due to a right elbow strain.
"To come in and kind of go cold at 97," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. "It's challenging. This kid has the ability to hit and the ability to hit fastballs. He showed it tonight."
Ben Gamel a sacrifice fly for the other run.
Bryan Reynolds (San Francisco-Andrew McCutchen trade) had three hits, scored three runs and his average up to .296. He has reached base safely in 18 consecutive starts.
Chris Stratton (Baltimore-cash considerations) got his seventh save, while David Bednar (San Diego-Joe Musgrove) pitched his 12th straight scoreless inning. Bednar on the season, 2.11 ERA in 59.2 innings with 76 strikeouts to 19 walks.
Keller final start?
In likely his final start of the season, right-handed Mitch Keller gave up six runs in four innings on nine hits, three walks and two strikeouts.
"It sucks having this one especially after the September that I've had," Keller said. "I felt really good after I got called back up. Sucks to have this one."
Before Tuesday night, Keller had given up eight runs in 21.2 innings with seven walks and 19 strikeouts.
"Too many balls in the middle of the plate," Shelton said. "Just watching it from the side. The swings they got on him. Just looked like there were too many pitches, both fastballs and breaking balls that stayed middle of the plate."
Keller's ERA for the season at 6.27. Opponents batted .323 against him with a WHIP of 1.80. There is an outside chance he starts the final game of the season. The Pirates have not decided on a starter for Sunday.
Up Next
AA star Roansy Contreras (Yankees-Jameson Taillon) makes his MLB debut against Kyle Hendricks (14-7, 4.81 ERA).
