Pirates Shut Out Rangers: Keller Shines, De La Cruz Comes Up Big

After back-to-back rough outings, Mitch Keller rebounded and delivered a brilliant performance for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 4-0 win over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.

Recap

Keller (11-7) worked into the eighth inning and allowed just three hits – all singles – without walking a batter and matching a season-high with nine strikeouts. 

The Rangers (58-69) did not put a single runner in scoring position against Keller, who was taken out after a Josh Jung leadoff single to begin the eighth inning.

Aroldis Chapman relieved Keller and erased the leadoff single on a double play before getting the third out of the eighth on a groundout.

After both starting pitchers completed three-perfect innings, the Pirates (59-66) finally threatened in the fourth and took advantage of the opportunity.

Bryan De La Cruz whacked a two-out, two-run single into center field while down in the count two strikes to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead against Cody Bradford (4-1). Following De La Cruz, Oneil Cruz effortlessly roped an RBI-triple to right field to extend the Pirates’ lead by a run. 

Jared Triolo tacked on an insurance run with a run-scoring single in the top of the ninth. Triolo has four RBIs through the first two games of this series after his three-run homer on Monday.

Key Moment

It looked like the Pirates jumped ahead in the fourth on a Connor Joe triple. Instead, it was deemed the ball went out of play for a ground rule double, giving the Pirates second and third with two outs. It didn’t matter, though, as De La Cruz’s two-run double sparked a three-run rally.

Star of the Game

Mitch Keller rebounded and delivered one of his best starts of the season. Entering play, Keller had allowed 15 runs in nine innings over his last two appearances.

Stat to Know

This was Keller first win since July 8 against the New York Mets at PNC Park. He had gone six starts without recording a win and went 0-2 during that stretch. 

Noteworthy

• Oneil Cruz stuffed the stat sheet. He finished 2 for 3 with a triple, an RBI, a stolen base and was walked intentionally.
• RHP Colin Holderman, RHP Carmen Mlodzinski and INF Nick Gonzlaes all started rehab assignments with Triple-A Indianapolis.

Up Next

The Pirates and Rangers will settle the series on Wednesday afternoon. Neither side has announced a starting pitcher. First pitch: 2:35 ET.