PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - The Pirates tied a franchise record with seven home runs in an 11-6 win over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.
Pirates Homer Seven Times
Andrew McCutchen opened the game with his eighth home run of the season and that just set the stage for how the game was going to go. The ball was absolutely flying as the Pirates homered seven times. Carlos Santana homered for the first time since April 7, Jack Suwinski homered twice, Ke'Bryan Hayes hit his second homer of the season, Tucapita Marcano hit his third homer of the season and Bryan Reynolds hit his 7th.
The seven home runs tied a franchise record for home runs in a game for the third time in the Modern Era.
"We had to attack him," said manager Derek Shelton. "We know he throws strikes. We stayed in attack mode and we stayed throughout the whole game. It was a really good game plan and we executed it tonight."
Keller vs Kirby
The pitching matchup of Mitch Keller vs George Kirby screamed a low scoring game but it was anything but that at T-Mobile Park. Keller gave up six earned runs on seven hits in 6+ innings of work. He did strikeout eight batters but he allowed the most earned runs in a start this season. Despite the tough outing, he did record his sixth win of the season which is a career high for Keller.
"He battled his command throughout the whole thing," said Shelton. "We've seen him have such elite stuff that when he has a start like this you think 'hey what's going on?' The thing I really liked about it is Mitch Keller last year and the year before gives up eight. He didn't, he grinded through it, gave us a start to be able to win the game. It shows his maturity."
The Pirates knocked Kirby out of the game in the 5th inning after he allowed seven earned runs on nine hits. Four of those hits were home runs.
"He does throw strikes and he is good. He has the ability to execute pitches," said Shelton. "I would say of all of the games we played this year, probably the best we executed offensively with our approach."
Vince Velasquez Returns Saturday
Shelton confirmed in his postgame press conference that Vince Velasquez will pitch Saturday and Sunday's starter is to be announced later. Velasquez will make his first start since May 4th. He will face Luis Castillo at 4:10 on 93.7 The Fan.