BRADENTON (93.7 The Fan) - The Pirates continue to struggle offensively, while the visiting Red Sox slugged 3 home runs to beat the Bucs, 6-3, in Bradenton. The game was stopped by a rainstorm in the 8th inning.
Mitch Keller's second start - on 3 days rest - was cut short by design so he failed to complete two innings.
He allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, one an opposite field home run to Jarren Duran.
He stuck out 3, walked 1 and was lifted with 2 out in the second inning after throwing his 32nd pitch.
By the numbers, it was unremarkable but Keller was okay with it. "I liked today's better than the first one," said Keller who pitched 2 scoreless innings Saturday against the Twins.
Manager Derek Shelton says given Burdi's injury history, they're certainly monitoring his health, "but if he gets healthier it's going to be a little scary what that gun reads out!"
Lefty Robbie Erlin gave up a none-of-the-fielders-moved home run to Michael Chavis in the fifth inning and, after the Pirates had tied the game on Cole Tucker's RBI single in the 6th, another lefty, Sam Howard, gave up 3 runs in the 7th, 2 on a home run by big first baseman Josh Oskimey who hit 25 HRs last season in AAA.
The Pirates other runs came on a sacrifice fly by JT Riddle and an RBI double by Jose Osuna,who played third base. Offense continues to be a challenge for the Pirates who only had 4 hits.
Shelton sent Bill Mazeroski out with the line-up card and tried to apologize to the umpires for not coming out himself and said crew chief Chad Fairchild was far from offended. "He was like, I'd much rather have Bill Mazeroski; I'm going to see you all year!" Shelton laughed.
Thursday, the Bucs will make their first of two visits to neighboring Sarasota to take on the Orioles. 33-year old Rand Cole Tucker's RBI single HP Hector Noesi, a non-roster invitee who has spent parts of 6 seasons in the majors with 5 clubs, is scheduled to start followed by, among others, Keone Kela, Chris Stratton and Geoff Hartlieb.