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Pirates Recap: Keller Strong, Clutch Hits in Dramatic Win Over Cardinals

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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Pittsburgh, Monday, April 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH — Nick Gonzales drove in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth after Mitch Keller threw seven-strong innings for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night at PNC Park. 



With the score tied 1-all, Gonzales shot one through the right side of the infield to plate Bryan Reynolds from second base and give the Pirates (51-49) the lead.

It was the second time in the last four games that Gonzales provided some late-game heroics. On Friday night against the Phillies, Gonzales delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning. 

Aroldis Chapman (2-4) got the win after tossing a perfect eighth inning. David Bednar converted his 18th save of the season. John King (3-2) took the loss for the Cardinals (52-48).

Keller held the St. Louis to one run across seven innings pitched. The Pirates’ right-hander allowed six hits, walked a pair, struck out three and threw 62 of his 97 pitches for strikes. He retired the final seven batters he faced. 

Oneil Cruz put the Pirates up 1-0 in the third inning with an RBI single which plated Andrew McCutchen, who hit a one-out double to extend his hitting streak to eight games.

In addition to his run-scoring single, Cruz stole a pair of bases. It was the first time in his career that Cruz stole multiple bases in the same game. 

That was all the Pirates managed against Cardinals starter Andre Pallante, who yielded three hits in six innings, walked two and struck out three. 

Nolan Gorman homered off the foul pole in the top of the fifth inning against Keller to tie the game 1-1. The Cardinals could have taken the lead later on in the inning had it not been for first baseman Rowdy Tellez.

With two on and two outs, Tellez laid out on a grounder down the line to take away a hit and at least one RBI from Brendan Donovan.

Up Next

Paul Skenes (6-0, 1.90 ERA) will be on the mound on Tuesday for the first time since starting for the National League in the All-Star Game. Lance Lynn (5-4, 4.39 ERA) will start for the Cardinals. First pitch: 6:40 ET.

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