Oviedo’s Complete Game, Hayes’ Four Hits Give Pirates 5-0 Win Over Royals

Johan Oviedo threw a complete game shutout while Ke’Bryan Hayes had four hits and reached base five times in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 5-0 win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Monday.

Recap

Oviedo (8-13) dazzled throughout his first-career complete game. The big right-hander allowed only a pair of hits, walked two and struck out five batters on 112 pitches. None of the four batters to reach base against Oviedo advanced to second base.

Prior to this game, Oviedo’s career-high in innings pitched was 7.0, which he had done eight times in his career.

Hayes finished the game 4 for 4 with an RBI double, raising his season OPS to .745. It was the fourth time in his career he finished the night with 4+ hits.

The Pirates took a 1-0 lead off of Zack Greinke (1-13) in the second inning when Alfonso Rivas bounced into a double play with the bases loaded. They added two more in the seventh inning on Andrew McCutchen and Josh Palacios RBI singles.

The following inning, Rivas plated another run with a run-scoring double to push the Pirates ahead 5-0.

Key Moment 

With the Pirates leading 2-0 in the sixth, Hayes robbed speedster Bobby Witt Jr. of what looked to be a run-scoring, extra-base hit with a diving play at the hot corner.

Star of the Game

As good as Hayes was, Oviedo’s dominating outing gives him the honor.

Stat to Know

Oviedo is now the first pitcher in the league to allow zero or one run in 13 starts this season. Entering play, the only others to do so in 12 starts on the year were Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, Yusei
Kikuchi, Zac Gallen and Bryce Elder.

Noteworthy

• It was the third time this year Oviedo went 6.0+ innings without allowing a run and the sixth time he’s completed 7.0+ innings.
• This was the second time this season Hayes had at least four hits in a game. He recorded a five-hit game against the New York Mets on June 9.
• In addition to Hayes, Ji Hwan Bae (2 for 5) and Alfonso Rivas (2 for 4) had a multi-hit games.
• Endy Rodriguez snapped an 0-for-12 skid with a single in his first at-bat of the game.

Up Next

The Pirates (59-73) and Royals (41-92) will continue their three-game series on Tuesday night. The Pirates have not made an announcement on who their starting pitcher will be. The Royals will send out left-hander Cole Ragans (5-4, 3.66 ERA). First pitch: 8:10 ET.