Pirates Preview: Bucs Look to Avoid 10th-Straight Loss vs. Martín Pérez, Padres

The Pittsburgh Pirates were shutout 3-0 by the San Diego Padres for their ninth loss in as many games.

Michael King recorded 10 of the 15 strikeouts from Padres’ pitching as the Pirates looked completely overmatched at the plate throughout the game.

Mitch Keller will be on the mound for the Pirates (56-63) as they look for their first win since Aug. 3. They’ll see a familiar face in Martín Pérez, who is making his third start since he was traded to the Padres (68-53).

First pitch is set for 4:10 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Mostly sunny skies with temperatures hovering around 80 degrees. Winds W at 8-9 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Mitch Keller (10-6, 3.56 ERA)

Keller was roughed up in his last outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. The right-hander surrendered seven runs and a pair of homers in four innings pitched.

Though one was due to a rain delay, Keller hasn’t gone five innings in three of his last five starts. This comes after he pitched at least five innings in 49-straight starts dating back to last season.

Prior to getting tagged for seven runs at Dodgers Stadium, Keller had not allowed more than two runs in five-straight starts. He had a 2.17 ERA during that stretch from July 8 to Aug. 3.

Keller has split four decisions in four career starts against the Padres and has a 3.86 ERA.

The San Diego Padres Will Send Out LHP Martín Pérez (2-5, 4.78 ERA)

Pérez made 16 starts for the Pirates this season before he was traded to the Padres at the deadline.

He’s made two starts with San Diego and both have been very strong. He allowed one run in six innings in his team debut against the Rockies and pitched seven innings of two-run ball in Miami in his most recent outing.

Dating back to his final start with the Pirates, Pérez has allowed three runs over his last 19 innings pitched.

The veteran left-hander is 2-1 with an even-4.00 ERA in three career starts against the Pirates.

Padres Hitters vs. Keller

• Jurickson Profar: 2 for 11, one double, two walks, three strikeouts
• Manny Machado: 3 for 9, one home run, three RBIs, two walks, four strikeouts
• Jake Cronenworth: 2 for 9, one double, two RBIs, one walk, one strikeout
• Ha-Seong Kim: 0 for 9, two strikeouts
• David Peralta: 3 for 6, one double, three RBIs, one strikeout
• Luis Arraez: 1 for 6, one strikeout
• Xander Bogaerts: 1 for 3, one RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Pérez

• Andrew McCutchen: 6 for 21, three doubles, three RBIs, one walk, five strikeouts
• Michael A. Taylor: 5 for 12, one double, one RBI, two walks, one strikeout
• Connor Joe: 2 for 7, one double, one walk, two strikeouts
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 2 for 7, one walk, one strikeout
• Yasmani Grandal: 3 for 4, one walk
• Bryan De La Cruz: 3 for 3, one double
• Rowdy Tellez: 1 for 3
• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 0 for 3

Tidbits

• This is the fourth-straight season in which the Pirates have had a losing streak of at least nine games.
• Andrew McCutchen’s hitting streak is up to 10 games. He’s batting .325 (13 for 40) with three home runs and 11 RBIs over that stretch.
• Oneil Cruz committed his 23rd error on Tuesday. Only Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (24) has more.

Links

Who Deserves Blame for Pirates Collapse? (+)

Pirates Minor League Report: Billy Cook’s Grand Slam Lifts Indianapolis to Win

Pirates Mowed Down by Michael King as Losing Streak Hits Nine

Perrotto: Pirates’ Jake Woodford Has Experienced Even Worse This Year

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